Ch 1: Introduction to Culture
About This Chapter
Introduction to Culture - Chapter Summary
In this chapter, you'll study an overview of culture, including material and nonmaterial culture and the differences and similarities between cultural subsets. Additional lessons cover the five basic characteristics of cultures and what instrumental values are. You'll also learn about the definition and theories associated with acculturation, as well as some examples of this concept. This chapter is designed to help you:
- Define encompassing culture
- Explain how popular culture spreads
- Describe some of the mechanisms of cultural change
- Identify how globalization impacts culture in the U.S.
- List cultural factors that unify and divide society, such religion and media
These lessons and quizzes are accessible to you 24 hours a day, so you can study on your mobile device or computer at whatever time works best for your busy schedule. If you want to skip ahead or go back to a specific section in a video lesson, use the video tabs feature to navigate. Our instructors have created these lessons to be simple and fun, and they are available to answer any questions if you need help along the way.
1. What Is Culture? - Material and Nonmaterial Culture
Culture is a huge topic of study for sociologists. In this lesson, we define culture and distinguish between material and nonmaterial culture. As culture, nation, and society are often used interchangeably, we also distinguish between these three concepts.
2. Cultural Subsets: High Culture, Popular Culture, Subculture, Counterculture & Multiculturalism
In this lesson, we identify several categories of cultures that can exist within a large culture. We define and discuss subcultures, high culture versus popular culture, and countercultures. We also discuss the view of multiculturalism in the U.S.
3. The Five Basic Characteristics of Cultures
In this lesson, learn about culture. We will review the five characteristics that all cultures have in common with one another and look at some examples.
4. Encompassing Culture: Definition & Example
How does culture influence what happens during our everyday lives? In this lesson, we'll talk about how culture is encompassing, meaning that it shapes our personalities, values, and way of living.
5. Instrumental Values: Definition & Examples
Instrumental values are one of two types of values distinguished by social psychologist Milton Rokeach. Learn more about instrumental values from examples and test your knowledge with a quiz.
6. The Spread of Popular Culture
Learn about the rise of popular culture and globalization in the late 20th century; explore the events of the turbulent 1960s that led to the baby boomer generation and the growing sense of global unity; and discover the effects of globalization, multiculturalism, consumerism, and mass communication.
7. Unifying & Dividing Cultural Factors: Media, Religion & More
How do things like sports, food, and religion impact our lives? In this lesson, we'll talk about how these aspects of our culture have the power to divide us or to bring us together.
8. Acculturation: Definition, Theory & Examples
The following lesson explains how individuals and groups experience acculturation by discussing four main factors associated with acculturation: language, immersion, assimilation, and integration. A quiz is provided to assess your understanding of the topic.
9. Mechanisms of Cultural Change: Invention, Diffusion & Innovation
This lesson will seek to explain the concept of cultural change. In doing so, it will highlight the change mechanisms of invention and innovation. It will also explain the different types of diffusion.
10. How Globalization Impacts Culture in the United States
How does the flow of people, goods, and culture impact places? In this lesson, we'll talk about how the process of globalization impacts various aspects of culture in the United States.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the UExcel Cultural Diversity: Study Guide & Test Prep course
- Culture-Related Concepts
- Social Construction & Power
- Categories of Social Difference
- Ideologies of Social Difference
- Stratification of Difference in Society
- Direct & Indirect Discrimination
- Theories of Prejudice
- Relations in the Multicultural Society
- Native Americans in the U.S.
- African Americans in the U.S.
- Latin Americans in the U.S.
- Asian, Jewish & Middle Eastern Americans
- Collective Responses to Dominance & Inequality
- Inequality & Key Social Movements
- Dominance & Legislative Processes
- UExcel Cultural Diversity Flashcards
