SOC 001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Ethnocentrism, Norm (Social), Culture Shock

• School: College of The Sequoias
• Department: Sociology (SOC)
• Course: SOC 001
• Professor: Bellin

Document Summary

Culture can be defined as everything that is not biological in society. Everything that is not part of the natural environment (a tree is not culture, but a. The way we speak, the food we eat, the way we dress. Culture can be loosely defined as a set of beliefs, traditions, and practices. Subculture emphasizes difference from dominant culture, arise when a group is a target of prejudice and has social power (jocks, frat bros) Counterculture in opposition to the dominant culture, demand conformity from members (hippies), are perceived as a threat. Cultural relativism: ethnocentrism the belief that your culture is better than others. Material culture is everything that is part of our constructed environment (books, fashion, monuments) Example of material culture chairs we are sitting on. Nonmaterial culture encompasses values, beliefs, behaviors, and social norms. Examples: world trade center, flags, a cross, stoplights.