Culture and Social StructureInstincts in Other SpeciesCharacteristics of Instinct(s)Examples:CultureMaterial vs. non-material cultureHumans: Culture replaces instinctElements (components) of cultureComponents of Culture-SymbolsValues—Traditional USA?Traditional values—China (Weber) Based on ConfucianismLinguistic relativity hypothesisExpressive symbolism & production of cultureIssuesCultural Universals?Sub- and Counter- culturesSOCIAL STRUCTUREStatus=position in society/groupRole (play a role)Groups, categoriesInstitutionsSocietiesCulture and Social StructureBasics of Chapter 2Basics of Chapter 2Instincts in Other SpeciesInstinct= inborn, genetically-based behavior Instinct= inborn, genetically-based behavior programprogramCharacteristics of Instinct(s)1. Not learned1. Not learned2. All members of the species share (male-2. All members of the species share (male-female differences)female differences)3. May be triggered by external influences 3. May be triggered by external influences or hormonal changesor hormonal changes4. Little flexibility4. Little flexibility5. Oriented toward survival & reproduction5. Oriented toward survival & reproductionExamples:-wasp building mud container-wasp building mud container-birds of same species build similar nests-birds of same species build similar nests-mating behavior-mating behavior-birthing behavior-birthing behavior-food/nourishment choices-food/nourishment choicesCulture““the shared heritage of a people”the shared heritage of a people”““learned patterns for thinking, feeling, and learned patterns for thinking, feeling, and acting that are transmitted from one acting that are transmitted from one generation to the next”generation to the next”Material vs. non-material cultureNon-material=abstract creations (invisible) Non-material=abstract creations (invisible) such as values, beliefs, norms, customs, such as values, beliefs, norms, customs, technological know-how (mental technological know-how (mental constructs)constructs)Material=physical artifacts or objectsMaterial=physical artifacts or objectsHumans: Culture replaces instinctHuman behavior patterns learnedHuman behavior patterns learnedVariation between cultures and individuals Variation between cultures and individuals (food choices, mating behavior etc)(food choices, mating behavior etc)Flexible, can be “redone”Flexible, can be “redone”Elements (components) of cultureBeliefsBeliefs (background (background assumptions)assumptions)ValuesValues (general ideas (general ideas about what is good about what is good and desirable)and desirable)SymbolsSymbols (acts or (acts or objects that stand for objects that stand for something)something)NormsNorms (Mores, (Mores, folkways, laws)folkways, laws)LanguageLanguage (enables, (enables, shapes thought and shapes thought and expression)expression)Tools, Technology Tools, Technology (technological (technological capability)capability)Components of Culture-SymbolsGestures (cultural meaning)Gestures (cultural meaning)Objects (stop signs, flags)Objects (stop signs, flags)Events (can function as expressive symbols)Events (can function as expressive symbols)Language as most important symbol systemLanguage as most important symbol system Helen KellerHelen KellerValues—Traditional USA?Achievement, Success, Work, Activity, Achievement, Success, Work, Activity, Efficiency, Practicality, Material Comfort, Efficiency, Practicality, Material Comfort, Individuality, Progress, Rationality, Individuality, Progress, Rationality, Patriotism, DemocracyPatriotism, DemocracyTraditional values—China (Weber) Based on ConfucianismBelief in an impersonal, cosmic orderBelief in an impersonal, cosmic orderNeed to adjust to world to maintain harmony Need to adjust to world to maintain harmony of heaven & earth; ideal of “order”of heaven & earth; ideal of “order”Vigilant self-control for the sake of dignity Vigilant self-control for the sake of dignity and self-perfectionand self-perfectionBelief in Magic—need to avoid the wrath of Belief in Magic—need to avoid the wrath of the spirits.the spirits.Familial Piety as basis of human relationsFamilial Piety as basis of human relationsLinguistic relativity hypothesisSapir-Whorf : language shapes cognition, Sapir-Whorf : language shapes cognition, perceptionperceptionExpressive symbolism & production of culture1.1.Production of symbols reflects nature of Production of symbols reflects nature of society (graffiti=powerless)(music reflects society (graffiti=powerless)(music reflects social class background)social class background)2.2.Symbolism carries a “code”—allows re-Symbolism carries a “code”—allows re-creation of society day to day, over time creation of society day to day, over time (literature, tv, parades, music)(literature, tv, parades, music)3.3.Social structure affects culture (popular Social structure affects culture (popular music, mass markets)music, mass markets)Issues Cultural integration?Cultural integration?EthnocentrismEthnocentrismCultural RelativismCultural RelativismCultural Universals?Cultural Universals?Cultural Universals?Food quest, clothing, settlements, property, Food quest, clothing, settlements, property, travel and transport, fine arts, social travel and transport, fine arts, social stratification, kinship, political behavior, stratification, kinship, political behavior, death, religious practices, infancy and death, religious practices, infancy and childhoodchildhoodSub- and Counter- culturesSubculture=AmishSubculture=AmishCounterculture=rejection of dominant Counterculture=rejection of dominant culturecultureSOCIAL STRUCTUREThe social ordering, relationships in stable The social ordering, relationships in stable patterns, social positions and the patterns, social positions and the distribution of people in themdistribution of people in themInstitutionsInstitutionsStatus=position in society/groupExamples: Mother, Father, supervisor, child, Examples: Mother, Father, supervisor, child, shopper, convict, shopper, convict, Ascribed vs. AchievedAscribed vs. AchievedMaster StatusMaster StatusRole (play a role)Rights, duties, expectationsRights, duties, expectationsRole PerformanceRole PerformanceRole Set, reciprocal rolesRole Set, reciprocal rolesRole conflict, role strainRole conflict, role strainGroups,
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