SOCY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Ethnocentrism, Cultural Relativism, Subculture
Document Summary
Often taken for granted learned, not bio. Symbols, language, values, beliefs, norms symbols- anything that stands for something else(sounds, gesture, image, object) language- elaborate system of symbols allowing people to communicate. Values- culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful and that serve as broad guidelines for social living. Beliefs- specific statements that people hold to be true. Values are abstract standards of goodness and beliefs are particular matters that people accept as true or false. Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members. Dominant culture- prevailing ideas and practices of those with power in a given society government, media, Sub-culture- cultural group within a larger dominant group; distinct norms, values and lifestyles. Counter-culture- subculture whose values and norms are oppositional to dominant culture. Multiculturalism- the recognition, valuing, and protection of district cultures. Xenophobia- unreasonable fear and hatred of people from other cultures.
