PAPER 1 – SECTION A REVISION
1.1 Culture
Definitions;
1. Culture – a way of life for a particular society or social group. Giddens – culture
rather than biology which makes us humans. Examples; Arab Culture:
Focuses on hospitality, storytelling, and religious practices (mainly Islam). Cuisine
includes hummus, falafel, and kebabs. Celebrates Eid and other grand social
events. Nordic Culture (Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark):
Emphasizes simplicity, equality, and community. Known for minimalistic design e.g.
IKEA.
2. Norms – cultural expectations or social rules that society attach to certain
behaviours e.g. Germany: Being on time is extremely important. Arriving even a few
minutes late can be seen as disrespectful or unprofessional. Latin America (e.g.,
Mexico): Time is more flexible, and arriving 15-30 minutes late for social events is
often acceptable and doesn’t carry the same negative stigma.
3. Values – beliefs and goals relating to what members of society or cultures feel are
morally important/desirable e.g. United States (Individualism): People value
personal freedom and independence, focusing on their own goals and success.
China (Collectivism): The group’s well-being is more important than individual
desires and maintaining good relationships with others is highly valued.
4. Ascribed status – roles that are fixed at birth by inheritance or physical
characteristics. E.g. royals like the queen have inherited their role
5. Achieved status – roles achieved through education, work, skills & talent e.g.
becoming a doctor
6. Cultural Diversity – The existence of multiple cultural groups within a society, each
with unique norms, values, and traditions. E.g. Diwali in the UK, where Hindu, Sikh,
and Jain communities celebrate the festival of lights alongside British cultural
practices. Multicultural cities like Singapore there is a mixture of cuisines e.g.
Italian, Indian, Middle eastern etc.
, 7. Cultural Hybridity – The blending of two or more cultures to create a new, mixed
culture. E.g. Brasian (British and Asian) identities in the UK reflect how individuals
combine elements of both British and South Asian cultures. Change in British tastes
of foods – e.g. curry which has become very popular in the UK. Chicken tikka masala
(hybrid dish) has replaced fish and chips as Britian's favourite dish
How culture, norms & values are relative – Time, context & location e.g. Markle – evolution
of smoking; used to be a norm in Britain
Types of culture
Type of Definition Examples/studies & further
culture knowledge
High culture Products and practices Examples; classical music, opera &
of a culture which are ballet or sporting events like polo
seen as intellectually and Critiques – Marxist sociologists are
aesthetically superior critical. Bourdieu claims that this
because they supposedly type of culture is sig as it provides
represent the highest people with “cultural capital” which
levels of human creativity leads to financial rewards and
social mobility.
The knowledge gained through
enjoying high culture is also valued
in the education system =
advantage
Popular Cultural products and Examples; often product of mass
culture/ mass practices which do not media, includes music & watching
culture aspire to intellectual or TV.
creative superiority & are Perspectives;
appreciated by the Supporters – say it is inferior
majority of ordinary ppl Critics – worthless because it has
allegedly produced dumbed – down
entertainment & encourages
materialism & consumer culture.
Marxists are critical as they see it as
a type of social control – used by
ruling class to encourage ethe pop
to accept the status quo
Consumer Members of society Example; A recent study found that
culture increasingly value the 74% of consumers have bought a
1.1 Culture
Definitions;
1. Culture – a way of life for a particular society or social group. Giddens – culture
rather than biology which makes us humans. Examples; Arab Culture:
Focuses on hospitality, storytelling, and religious practices (mainly Islam). Cuisine
includes hummus, falafel, and kebabs. Celebrates Eid and other grand social
events. Nordic Culture (Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark):
Emphasizes simplicity, equality, and community. Known for minimalistic design e.g.
IKEA.
2. Norms – cultural expectations or social rules that society attach to certain
behaviours e.g. Germany: Being on time is extremely important. Arriving even a few
minutes late can be seen as disrespectful or unprofessional. Latin America (e.g.,
Mexico): Time is more flexible, and arriving 15-30 minutes late for social events is
often acceptable and doesn’t carry the same negative stigma.
3. Values – beliefs and goals relating to what members of society or cultures feel are
morally important/desirable e.g. United States (Individualism): People value
personal freedom and independence, focusing on their own goals and success.
China (Collectivism): The group’s well-being is more important than individual
desires and maintaining good relationships with others is highly valued.
4. Ascribed status – roles that are fixed at birth by inheritance or physical
characteristics. E.g. royals like the queen have inherited their role
5. Achieved status – roles achieved through education, work, skills & talent e.g.
becoming a doctor
6. Cultural Diversity – The existence of multiple cultural groups within a society, each
with unique norms, values, and traditions. E.g. Diwali in the UK, where Hindu, Sikh,
and Jain communities celebrate the festival of lights alongside British cultural
practices. Multicultural cities like Singapore there is a mixture of cuisines e.g.
Italian, Indian, Middle eastern etc.
, 7. Cultural Hybridity – The blending of two or more cultures to create a new, mixed
culture. E.g. Brasian (British and Asian) identities in the UK reflect how individuals
combine elements of both British and South Asian cultures. Change in British tastes
of foods – e.g. curry which has become very popular in the UK. Chicken tikka masala
(hybrid dish) has replaced fish and chips as Britian's favourite dish
How culture, norms & values are relative – Time, context & location e.g. Markle – evolution
of smoking; used to be a norm in Britain
Types of culture
Type of Definition Examples/studies & further
culture knowledge
High culture Products and practices Examples; classical music, opera &
of a culture which are ballet or sporting events like polo
seen as intellectually and Critiques – Marxist sociologists are
aesthetically superior critical. Bourdieu claims that this
because they supposedly type of culture is sig as it provides
represent the highest people with “cultural capital” which
levels of human creativity leads to financial rewards and
social mobility.
The knowledge gained through
enjoying high culture is also valued
in the education system =
advantage
Popular Cultural products and Examples; often product of mass
culture/ mass practices which do not media, includes music & watching
culture aspire to intellectual or TV.
creative superiority & are Perspectives;
appreciated by the Supporters – say it is inferior
majority of ordinary ppl Critics – worthless because it has
allegedly produced dumbed – down
entertainment & encourages
materialism & consumer culture.
Marxists are critical as they see it as
a type of social control – used by
ruling class to encourage ethe pop
to accept the status quo
Consumer Members of society Example; A recent study found that
culture increasingly value the 74% of consumers have bought a
