refers to material objects as well as patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that are passed from generation to generation by members of society.

refers to the material preferences within the culture

(food, music, cars)

refers to you cultures, beliefs, customs, values and norms.

people living within a defined territory that share a common culture.

studies the biological basis of human behavior. Behavior is based of biological factors such as genes.

1. Cerebral Cortex (abstract thinking)

2. Cultural Diversity

humans have a larger capacity for emotions and expression.  Abstract thinking.

humans are so different across the globe, which seems to say that regardless of the biological aspect of behavior, you must also take in environmental factors that play a role.

Dimensions of Culture

1. Normative

2. Cognitive

3. Material

refers to your cultures standards for appropriate behavior

rules that define appropriate

and inappropriate behavior.

 are customary ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that lack moral overtones

(Common Courtesies.  Just being polite.)

norms of huge moral significance. (taboos)

(cannibalism, incest)

norms that are formally defined and enforced.

ways that we promote conformity to norms. (rewards and/or punishments)

(positive/negative)

sanctions that can only be given by officially designated individuals.

sanctions that are given by anyone that has a potential influence.

(clapping, booing)

cultural principles that most people accept.

(hardwork, equality)

anything tangible (clothing, food, music, architecture). The same physical object can have different meanings in different cultures 

Guidelines we claim to accept (what we say we do)

Actual behavior patterns (what we really do)

1. Subculture

2. Counterculture

3. Ethnocentrism

4. Cultural Relativism

group that is part of the dominate culture, but differs from it in some respect (i.e. Italian Americans)

a subculture that is deliberately opposed to some aspect of the dominant culture (i.e. vegan) 

Cultural Universals and Cultural Particulars

behaviors that are shared by all known cultures

although cultures share universals, cultures develop different ways of expressing those universals 

(families usually together, families religious)

1. Hunting and Gathering

2. Horticultural

3.  Pastoral

4.  Agricultural

gather food by hunting animals and gathering edible plants. On average they tend to be nomadic

involved in primitive agriculture. Develop more permanent settlements. 

raise herd animals for milk and meat

came about with the invention of the plow

family has structural differentation; where children move to schools and economic activity move to factories, tend to be less religious

Gemeinschaft ("community");

characterized by tradition, strong family ties and intimate social relationships

Gesellschaft "society"

 characterized by weak family ties and less personal social relationships   $$$$

Mechanical Solidarity-

in preindustrial societies, people are interdependent because they share similar values

keywords:  mechanical, interdependent

Organic solidarity-

people are interdependent because they rely on each other economically

keywords:  organic, interdependent

argues that language influences our perceptions of the world.  This is because we are more likely to be aware of things if we have words for them.

(example:  skiers use terms such as black ice, corn powder or packed powder)

Culturally Relativistic-

understanding behavior of transcultural people within the context of their own culture.

understanding behavior of transcultural people within the context of their own culture.

-->feelings and behaviors are passed from generation to generation by members of society.