Culture and society

• Culture is the learned, shared behavior of society members passed on from generation to generation
• Norms define appropriate and acceptable behavior for specific people in particular situations
• Norms of dress dictate the type of clothing suitable for each gender, age group, and social situation
• Bedouin eating norms:

  • Eat with fingers of the right hand from a shared tray of food while sitting on the ground
  • People eat from the section of the tray directly in front of them
  • Bad manners to lick fingers then continue eating
  • Men and women eat separately, with men served first
• Without norms, understanding others' feelings, predicting behavior, and responding appropriately would be challenging
• Norms provide order in society, making social life predictable and comprehensible
• Values are general guides for behavior, reflecting beliefs about what is important and worthwhile
• Values are translated into behavior through various norms
• Shared values are seen as essential for societal wellbeing, fostering social solidarity necessary for smooth functioning
• The value placed on human life in society is reflected in numerous aspects of normative behavior
• Shared values prevent people from pulling in different directions, reducing disruption and conflict
• Statuses and roles in society:

  • Every society has positions or statuses that people occupy
  • Each status is accompanied by a role, outlining appropriate and expected behavior
  • Statuses and roles allow ordering of behavior and predicting others' behavior
  • Culturally defined, statuses and roles vary from society to society
• Primary socialization occurs in early years, usually within the family, shaping language and basic behavior patterns
• Gender statuses vary across cultures; Western societies recognize male and female, while others identify three or more gender statuses
• Socialization is crucial for individuals to resemble the societal norms and standards of behavior
• Secondary socialization is received later in life, through peer groups, school, and adult occupations
• Without socialization, individuals would bear little resemblance to the societal norms
• Socialization is the process through which individuals learn the culture of their society
• Socialization helps individuals predict the behavior of others and order their own behavior
• Socialization is crucial for individuals to learn the language and basic behavior patterns of their society
• Socialization is a lifelong process that helps individuals adapt to societal norms and standards of behavior
• Socialization is vital for individuals to learn the rules and norms of society and predict the behavior of others