Chapter 3 Objective Guide
Culture
Section 1: The Basis of Culture
Key Terms:
Culture
Society
Instincts
Reflexes
Drives
Sociobiology
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2.
3.
How is society different from culture?
About what percentage of personality is determined by genetics?
What are two arguments against the theory of sociobiology?
Activity
Create a travel brochure for the United States that shows both our society and our culture.
Section 2: Language and Culture
Key Terms
Symbol
Hypothesis of Linguistic Relativity
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2.
What are symbols?
How does language affect culture?
Activity
List 10 symbols that are universally accepted in the U.S. today and find pictures for each.
Section 3: Norms and Values
Key Terms
Norms
Folkways
Formal Sanctions
Mores
Taboo
Informal Sanctions
Law
Sanctions
Values
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2.
Sociologists make a distinction between norms and values. How are these concepts different?
Support your answer with examples.
Indicate whether these statements best reflect a folkway (F), a more (M), a law (L) or a value (V).
a. Norm against cursing aloud in church
b. Norm encourage eating three meals daily
c. Idea of progress
d. Norm against burning a national flag
e. Norm encouraging sleeping in a bed
f. Norm prohibiting murder
g. Norm against overtime parking
h. Idea of freedom
Activity
Value Pie: List the 12 most common American values recognized today in our society. Create a “Pie” chart
that shows how important you feel each value is. Give a definition for each value listed as well.
Section 4: Beliefs and Material Culture
Key Terms
Nonmaterial culture
Beliefs
Material culture
ideal culture
real culture
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2.
How is the material culture influenced by the nonmaterial culture?
How is real culture different from ideal culture?
Activity
Create a collage of material vs. nonmaterial cultural images from magazines and other sources.
Section 5: Cultural Diversity and Similarity
Key Terms
Social Categories
Cultural universals
Subculture
Counterculture
Ethnocentrism
Culture particulars
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
Identify each of the following as a social category (SC), subcultures (S), or counterculture (C).
a. Chinatown in New York City
b. Motorcycle gang
c. Catholics
d. Females
e. Revolutionary political group
f. The super rich
2.
3.
4.
Define ethnocentrism.
What are cultural universals? Why do they exist?
Are you and your friends members of a subculture? If so, describe some specific elements of that
subculture.
Activity
Complete the worksheet packet.