Global culture Roles
• The way events in one part of the world • A pattern of behaviour or routine carried out in
has a global effect. (McLuhan) action by a person or thing.
• The world is interconnected socially, • Can be ascribed (given to a person) or
politically and economically. achieved (where it is earned).
Culture – the learned and shared way of life of
• Based on cultural and economic factors . • Role conflict can occur between ascribed and
any society (Williams)
• Globalisation is categorised by the achieved roles.
High culture
spread of media and American culture. Examples
• Products and activities that are seen to have a
(Ritzer) • Royal Family = Ascribed
very high status.
Giddens – TV and electronic communication • Doctors = Achieved
• Seen as superior to other forms of culture by helps to create a global culture. Parsons – In a nuclear family, men have an
some. Featherstone – Argues that a universal global instrumental role and women have the expressive role.
Strinatti – Media creates popular culture and is breaking culture does not exist as people throughout the Davis and Moore – People with high talent are
down barriers as more people are accessing high culture world don’t share similar lifestyles. allocated important roles in society.
through mainstream TV.
MacIntosh and Mooney – Upper class operates on a Consumer culture Status
system of social closure and isolate themselves. • The goods, services and products that • A person’s or group’s social standing in
Examples are consumed in society. society.
• Going to the theatre, listening to classical music • It is a global affair where goods and • Can be ascribed where it is given to a person
Popular culture services are bought and sold across the and achieved where it is earned.
• Associated with shallow activities that are world. Examples
accessed by the masses. • Based on cultural and economic factors. • Members of the Royal Family (ascribed status)
• Celebrity culture is a big part of popular culture Marxists – Workers are exploited through • Doctors (achieved status)
and can be seen as a way of brainwashing the consumer culture by the bourgeoise for low pay Cohen – Young working class boys can experience
masses. to maximise profit. status frustration.
Bordieu – Creation of high and popular culture lies with Lury – Availability of a wide range of goods and Weber – People identify with others in a common
those in power. different forms of shopping available are features status situation in order to form stronger group
MacIntosh and Mooney – The masses are socialised to of consumer culture. identities.
be preoccupied with trivial matters so they are
distracted from social and political issues. Multiculturalism & Cultural Diversity
Examples • A multicultural society shows how diverse a society is and relates to promoting ethnic diversity.
• Going to a festival, listening to pop music Barker – States that multiculturalism is the way in which differences are celebrated and promoted.
Subculture Postmodernists – Society is becoming more diverse as people can construct their own identities.
• A culture enjoyed by a small group within Examples (of diversity)
society with distinct norms and values. • Ethnic, religion, gender, sexuality
• Can develop in opposition to society and be Cultural Hybridity
viewed as deviant. • When two or more cultures merge together to create a new culture.
Examples Examples
• Mods, punks, skinheads (Clarke), teddy boys • Johal – Brasian culture (British and Asian culture)
(Jefferson), goths • Nayak – White wannabes (White people incorporating African culture)
• The way events in one part of the world • A pattern of behaviour or routine carried out in
has a global effect. (McLuhan) action by a person or thing.
• The world is interconnected socially, • Can be ascribed (given to a person) or
politically and economically. achieved (where it is earned).
Culture – the learned and shared way of life of
• Based on cultural and economic factors . • Role conflict can occur between ascribed and
any society (Williams)
• Globalisation is categorised by the achieved roles.
High culture
spread of media and American culture. Examples
• Products and activities that are seen to have a
(Ritzer) • Royal Family = Ascribed
very high status.
Giddens – TV and electronic communication • Doctors = Achieved
• Seen as superior to other forms of culture by helps to create a global culture. Parsons – In a nuclear family, men have an
some. Featherstone – Argues that a universal global instrumental role and women have the expressive role.
Strinatti – Media creates popular culture and is breaking culture does not exist as people throughout the Davis and Moore – People with high talent are
down barriers as more people are accessing high culture world don’t share similar lifestyles. allocated important roles in society.
through mainstream TV.
MacIntosh and Mooney – Upper class operates on a Consumer culture Status
system of social closure and isolate themselves. • The goods, services and products that • A person’s or group’s social standing in
Examples are consumed in society. society.
• Going to the theatre, listening to classical music • It is a global affair where goods and • Can be ascribed where it is given to a person
Popular culture services are bought and sold across the and achieved where it is earned.
• Associated with shallow activities that are world. Examples
accessed by the masses. • Based on cultural and economic factors. • Members of the Royal Family (ascribed status)
• Celebrity culture is a big part of popular culture Marxists – Workers are exploited through • Doctors (achieved status)
and can be seen as a way of brainwashing the consumer culture by the bourgeoise for low pay Cohen – Young working class boys can experience
masses. to maximise profit. status frustration.
Bordieu – Creation of high and popular culture lies with Lury – Availability of a wide range of goods and Weber – People identify with others in a common
those in power. different forms of shopping available are features status situation in order to form stronger group
MacIntosh and Mooney – The masses are socialised to of consumer culture. identities.
be preoccupied with trivial matters so they are
distracted from social and political issues. Multiculturalism & Cultural Diversity
Examples • A multicultural society shows how diverse a society is and relates to promoting ethnic diversity.
• Going to a festival, listening to pop music Barker – States that multiculturalism is the way in which differences are celebrated and promoted.
Subculture Postmodernists – Society is becoming more diverse as people can construct their own identities.
• A culture enjoyed by a small group within Examples (of diversity)
society with distinct norms and values. • Ethnic, religion, gender, sexuality
• Can develop in opposition to society and be Cultural Hybridity
viewed as deviant. • When two or more cultures merge together to create a new culture.
Examples Examples
• Mods, punks, skinheads (Clarke), teddy boys • Johal – Brasian culture (British and Asian culture)
(Jefferson), goths • Nayak – White wannabes (White people incorporating African culture)
