SOCIOL 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Cultural Relativism, Subculture, Ethnocentrism

• School: UMASS-Amherst
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCIOL 110
• Professor: Paul Knudson

Document Summary

Culture is a set of beliefs, traditions and practices. Its the way we create, think and share from people. Ethnocentrism: the belief that one"s own culture or group is superior to all other cultures. Nonmaterial culture: values, beliefs and social norms. Cultural relativism: taking into account the differences across cultures without passing judgement. Subculture: groups united by set of concepts. For example, music genres have their own subcultures like hip-hop and rock. Norms: society"s rules and expectations; how values tell us to behave. Socialization: process by which individuals internalize the values and beliefs of society and learn to function as members. Reflection theory: the idea of viewing culture as a projection of social structures and relationships. Rappers who defend their violent lyrics might say that they are simply talking about culture from how they have seen. Multiculturalism: promoting respect and equal standing for all cultural traditions. Nativism: negative attitudes towards people who seem culturally distant.