Exam 14: Culture

A metaphysical myth fulfills the cultural function of explaining how the components of the universe relate to each other.

J. P. Stevens always looks perfect in his business suit. The colors are always right for the season and prevailing style. His tie has the proper knot, he does not wear a tie-tac, his handkerchief is the proper "two-fingers" above the pocket, and his socks and shoes do not distract from his overall look. Which of the following does J. P. seem to be adhering to with his "correctness"?

The most radical of the innovation change forms is called a discontinuous innovation because it creates major changes in the way we live.

The story goes that George Washington (as a small child) cut down his father's cherry tree with a hatchet. When asked who might have committed this act (even though young Washington was afraid of punishment for the act), George replied, "I cannot tell a lie; I cut down the cherry tree." This story has taken on mythical proportions in the United States. Which of the following functions does this myth best match?

A ________ innovation is a new product that creates major changes in the way we live.

Kyle liked to think he could program anything digital. He created a new video game, and a major industry firm wanted to buy it from him. He was bothered by their insistence that he modify the game by including a popular product's logo on the clothing of his main character. In this example, Kyle is concerned about the practice of ________.

________ postulated that myths involve binary opposition, in which two opposing ends of some dimension are represented (such as good versus evil).

Culture is best described as society's ________.

Which of the following is an object that is admired strictly for its beauty or because it inspires an emotional reaction?

Fashion refers to ________.

Some people have been offended when marketers refer to an event such as the Super Bowl as a sacred event. They believe that business people are being disrespectful. Explain how the concept of sacred in consumer behavior is both the same and different from the concept of sacred in a traditional religious context.

Products appearing in retail stores are examples of the use of product placement.

Romance novels often follow a cultural formula.

A myth that is common to many cultures is called a monomyth.

Interest in the occult is most likely to increase in a society when ________.

Most holidays commemorate a cultural myth.

What is the primary difference between an innovator and an early adopter?

The diffusion of innovations is a process whereby a new product, service, or idea spreads through a population.

We explicitly decide on ________ norms, such as the rule that a green traffic light means "go" and a red one means "stop."

Raymond Chandler wrote classic American detective stories. By always using certain roles for his characters and props that were appropriate to the genre, Chandler's novels followed what the text calls a(n) ________.