SOCL 2001 Chapter : Chapter 3
Document Summary
Culture can be loosely defined as a set of beliefs, traditions, and practices. The concept of culture has evolved and expanded throughout history. The oldest understandings of culture focus on the distinction between: natural environment, what is modified or created by humans. Culture a set of beliefs, traditions, and practices: technology by which humans dominate nature. Ethnocentrism: believing your own culture is superior, viewing all cultures from your own culture"s perspective. Culture as a pursuit of perfection: the best which has been thought and said . Everything that is a part of our constructed environment, such as books, fashion, and monuments. Values, beliefs, behaviors, and social norms: values: moral beliefs, norms: social rules based on values. A group distinct from the larger culture, united by a shared meaning. Names follow socially-structured patterns: reflect cultural trends, fashions, sometimes imply race.
