Exam 2: Culture

Courtney raises champion sheep, Joe is a cab driver in New York, and Rufus is a member of the RAW family of professional wrestling. What do Courtney, Joe, and Rufus have in common?

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? Provide at least two examples of how the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis impacts our perceptions of the world.

Why is nonmaterial culture also called symbolic culture?

Today we can type our symptoms into a computer search engine and often find out why we are sick, what condition we may have, and how we might treat it. But we still go to see a doctor. This is an example of ________.

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, language is nothing more than common sense expressed in words and gestures.

Match the term with the definition. 1) material culture 2) nonmaterial culture 3) ethnocentrism 4) symbolic culture 5) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis 6) negative sanction 7) positive sanction 8) moral holiday 9) folkways 10) subculture 11) counterculture 12) culture war 13) real culture 14) ideal culture 15) cultural diffusion -A) another term for nonmaterial culture B) a group whose values, beliefs, and related behaviors place its members in opposition to the broader culture C) a reward or expression of approval for following a norm D) the use of one's own culture as a yardstick for judging the ways of other individuals or societies, generally leading to a negative evaluation of their values, norms, and behaviors E) a group whose values, beliefs, and related behaviors distinguish its members from the larger culture F) the spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another G) the norms and values that people actually follow H) the values and norms that people in society officially hold and want to pass onto their children I) the classification of culture that includes art, buildings, weapons, machines, and clothing J) a clash of values between opposing groups in society that is so severe it may result in extremely high tension, violence, and social upheaval K) norms that are not strictly enforced L) a time when people are allowed to break norms without penalty M) the theory that language creates ways of thinking and perceiving N) the classification of culture that includes beliefs, ideas, values, and assumptions O) an expression of disapproval for breaking a norm

Although computers are supplied by the university, many professors never quite learn how to use them. Others feel they might break them so they avoid trying anything new. Others save data to their hard drive but also make a paper copy to keep. Such behavior is an example of ________.

What is cultural lag?

From a sociological perspective, which statement best classifies 19th century Mormons and 21st century physicians?

A person receiving a positive sanction would be expected to maintain the behavior that he or she exhibited when receiving the sanction.

McDonald's sells Quarter Pounders in Tokyo, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and practically every other major city in the world. Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone are among the most popular cartoon figures in Mexico. These are examples of ________.

Edward Wilson believes that sociobiology explains human behavior more accurately than sociology does. Wilson claims that human behavior is the result of natural selection. However, most sociologists disagree with his ideas. Discuss the reasons why sociologists disagree.

The two anthropologists who studied the Hopi Indians and concluded that language has embedded within it ways of looking at the world were ________.

Language, beliefs, values, norms, behavior, material objects, and technology that are passed from one generation to the next by members of society describe ________.

A person who professes a belief in freedom and equality but also demonstrates behavior that is sexist and racist is involved in a value contradiction.

Why is it most common for the nonmaterial culture to lag behind material culture?

Harry is in the campus dining hall and has chosen a cheeseburger and fries rather than a veggie burger. Harvey, a fraternity playboy, claims he has only dated the most beautiful women on campus. Horace considers earning an "A" in a course far superior than a "C" or even a "B." What do Harry, Harvey, and Horace have in common?

In America, why is Spanish, rather than English, continuously spoken from generation to generation, with greater commitment than any other non-English speaking language?

All of the following statements are accurate regarding language, EXCEPT for which one?

Three of the following terms are interchangeable. Which one does NOT belong with the other three?