Culture

• Define 'culture':

  Behaviour/beliefs in a society - their way of life
• Define 'norms':

  Expected patterns of behaviour according to a society's values of their culture
• Why are norms described as 'relative'?

  Vary according to location + time + diff. cultures
• Define 'values':

  Beliefs/ideas that society considers important
• T/F: Values are seen as relative

  True
• What are the 2 types of cultural diversity?

  1. INTER-cultural diversity
  2. INTRA-cultural diversity
• What is inter-cultural diversity?


  Diversity between cultures, e.g. Asian & British
• What is intra-cultural diversity?

  Diversity within cultures e.g. diff. countries in the UK have distinct cultures
• Define 'subculture':

  A culture within a culture - small group of ppl who have their own distinct norms and values within a wider culture
• Define 'popular culture':

  Cultural products/activities enjoyed by most of the population
• What are some examples of popular culture?

  • Going to the cinema
  • Watching TV
• Some argue that pop culture is b___________ the gen. pop.

  Brainwashing
• Which theoretical perspective said this ab. popular culture?

  • Pop culture is saturated in our society
  • High culture is merging w/ pop culture bc technology has made it widely accessible to all 


  Postmodernism
• What is consumer culture?


  A culture focussing on the consumption of a range of widely available goods
• Define 'conspicuous consumption'?

  Purchasing particular goods to gain status
• Which social institution reinforces conspicuous spending?

  The media
• What is global culture?

  Cultural products/services/brands becoming universal - they eventually lose their uniqueness due to globalisation
• What does McLuhan argue that we live in?


  Global Village - the world has gotten smaller
• What do Marxists argue the spread of global culture is due to?

  Cultural imperialism
• Define 'high culture':

  Culture seen to have artistic/intellectual merit that's highly revered in society - normally ascribed to by the elite + wealthy
• What kind of capital did Bourdieu say high culture gave ppl?

  Cultural capital
• What are some examples of high culture?

  Opera, ballet, classical music, literature, fine art