Exam 2
1. What is ethnocentrism and how does it impede our understanding of other cultures? What kind of attitude should we take instead? As you form your answer, mention and briefly describe a subculture to which you belong (or in which you have participated) that someone else might be ethnocentric about. Then also mention and briefly describe a subculture to which you do not belong (and that you have not participated in) that you have approached with ethnocentrism in the past. How does your understanding of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism allow you to better understand how people judge others from other cultures and/or subcultures in social interaction?
Ethnocentrism is the process of analyzing other cultures by using one’s own culture …show more content…
Culture is a very broad concept, usually divided into material and symbolic culture. Define and explain material culture and symbolic culture and provide at least two examples of each in your definition. Consider norms: What is the difference between a folkway and a more? Additionally, explain the difference between subcultures and countercultures and give at least two examples of each.
Material culture is a physical component of culture that contributes to real-life expression of the culture. Fast food restaurants and designer clothing are a prominent example of American material culture, demonstrating the fast-pace and commodification of American lifestyle. Symbolic culture is a nonmaterial entity of a culture that still provides clues to the views of the group. Waving as a greeting and the eagle as a sign of patriotism are key examples of American views which might not necessarily translate to the same meaning in other cultures.
A folkway is an aspect of social etiquette that helps to unify a culture by some commonly known standard. A more is a stricter norm, which “carries great moral significance, is closely related to the core values of a cultural group, and often involves severe repercussions for violators” (Ferris & Stein 84). Infringing upon folkways is discouraged, but disrupting the rule of mores, which are often enforced by harsh negative sanctions, is considered a serious breach of …show more content…
How has the decline of public life changed the way recreational activities are organized? What does it mean to say that there has been a “massive increase in the commodification of recreational activities”? How have we formalized recreation -- and what is technology’s role in this?
A huge cultural shift has moved recreation into the home, from a once public environment. As a result, entertainment industries have altered their methods of distribution in response. One example of this is DVD movies, a convenient way for consumers to enjoy movies at home rather than in a movie theater. The internet has further privatized recreation and resulted in a much more direct supply chain, with products going directly from the manufacturer to the private home of the consumer.
The commodification of recreational activities has further complicated recreation. A multitude of products are said to “enhance” recreational activities, making the process more reliant on our decisions at the store rather than the enjoyment of the activity itself. To say there has been a “massive increase in the commodification of recreational activities”, points out the shift towards people now purchasing their source of entertainment, and the availability of said products. Shopping, once intended for acquiring essential goods, has become a trivial
1. What is ethnocentrism and how does it impede our understanding of other cultures? What kind of attitude should we take instead? As you form your answer, mention and briefly describe a subculture to which you belong (or in which you have participated) that someone else might be ethnocentric about. Then also mention and briefly describe a subculture to which you do not belong (and that you have not participated in) that you have approached with ethnocentrism in the past. How does your understanding of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism allow you to better understand how people judge others from other cultures and/or subcultures in social interaction?
Ethnocentrism is the process of analyzing other cultures by using one’s own culture …show more content…
Culture is a very broad concept, usually divided into material and symbolic culture. Define and explain material culture and symbolic culture and provide at least two examples of each in your definition. Consider norms: What is the difference between a folkway and a more? Additionally, explain the difference between subcultures and countercultures and give at least two examples of each.
Material culture is a physical component of culture that contributes to real-life expression of the culture. Fast food restaurants and designer clothing are a prominent example of American material culture, demonstrating the fast-pace and commodification of American lifestyle. Symbolic culture is a nonmaterial entity of a culture that still provides clues to the views of the group. Waving as a greeting and the eagle as a sign of patriotism are key examples of American views which might not necessarily translate to the same meaning in other cultures.
A folkway is an aspect of social etiquette that helps to unify a culture by some commonly known standard. A more is a stricter norm, which “carries great moral significance, is closely related to the core values of a cultural group, and often involves severe repercussions for violators” (Ferris & Stein 84). Infringing upon folkways is discouraged, but disrupting the rule of mores, which are often enforced by harsh negative sanctions, is considered a serious breach of …show more content…
How has the decline of public life changed the way recreational activities are organized? What does it mean to say that there has been a “massive increase in the commodification of recreational activities”? How have we formalized recreation -- and what is technology’s role in this?
A huge cultural shift has moved recreation into the home, from a once public environment. As a result, entertainment industries have altered their methods of distribution in response. One example of this is DVD movies, a convenient way for consumers to enjoy movies at home rather than in a movie theater. The internet has further privatized recreation and resulted in a much more direct supply chain, with products going directly from the manufacturer to the private home of the consumer.
The commodification of recreational activities has further complicated recreation. A multitude of products are said to “enhance” recreational activities, making the process more reliant on our decisions at the store rather than the enjoyment of the activity itself. To say there has been a “massive increase in the commodification of recreational activities”, points out the shift towards people now purchasing their source of entertainment, and the availability of said products. Shopping, once intended for acquiring essential goods, has become a trivial