Culture - Answers the knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects that are passed
from person to person and from one generation to the next in a human group or society.
cultural universals - Answers customs and practices that occur across all societies
Symbol - Answers anything that meaningfully represents something else. Culture could not exist
without symbols because there would be no shared meanings among people
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis - Answers the idea that different languages create different ways of thinking
cultural imperialism - Answers The dominance of one culture over another.
four common nonmaterial cultural components: symbols, language, values, and norms. - Answers
language - Answers Language is a set of symbols that expresses ideas and enables people to think
and communicate with one another. Verbal (spoken) language and nonverbal (written or gestured)
language help us describe reality.
values - Answers are collective ideas about what is right or wrong, good or bad, and desirable or
undesirable in a particular culture
Values typically come in pairs of positive and negative values, such as being brave or cowardly,
hardworking or lazy. - Answers
value contradiction - Answers are values that conflict with one another or are mutually exclusive
(meaning that achieving one value makes it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve another).
ideal culture - Answers refers to the values and standards of behavior that people in a society profess
to hold.
real culture - Answers refers to the values and standards of behavior that people actually follow.
For example, we may claim to be law-abiding (ideal cultural value) but may regularly drive over the
speed limit (real cultural behavior) and still think of ourselves as "good citizens."
norms - Answers are established rules of behavior or standards of conduct.
prescriptive norms - Answers state what behavior is appropriate or acceptable
For example, persons making a certain amount of money are expected to file a tax return and pay any
taxes they owe
proscriptive norms - Answers state what behavior is inappropriate or unacceptable
Laws that prohibit us from driving over the speed limit and "good manners" that preclude you from
texting during class are examples.
formal norms - Answers are written down and involve specific punishments for violators.
Laws are the most common type of formal norms; they have been codified and may be enforced by
sanctions
sanctions - Answers are rewards for appropriate behavior or penalties for inappropriate behavior.
informal norms - Answers unwritten standards of behavior understood by people who share a
common identity.
Negative sanctions - Answers punishments for violating norms
positive sanction - Answers a reward or positive reaction for following norms, ranging from a smile to
a material reward
Examples of positive sanctions include praise, honors, or medals for conformity to specific norms.
informal sanctions - Answers a spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval given by an
individual or a group
(such as frowning at someone or making a negative comment or gesture).
folkway - Answers informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious
consequences within a particular culture
(they provide rules for conduct but are not considered to be essential)