Culture: Elements and Variations (9A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations

A structured symbolic system used to communicate meaning. Enables transmission of culture across generations through communication.

Ideas and meanings such as norms, values, beliefs, and symbols. The intangible aspects that shape behavior and social organization.

Physical objects and technologies that reflect a culture. Includes artifacts, buildings, clothing, and tools of a society.

A group with distinct norms/values within a larger culture. Shares broader cultural framework but maintains unique characteristics.

A subculture that rejects and opposes dominant cultural values. Actively challenges mainstream norms, like hippies in the 1960s.

When nonmaterial culture changes more slowly than technology. Creates social strain as values struggle to adapt to new technologies.

Formal: institutional; Informal: interpersonal/social reactions. Formal involves laws/policies; informal involves peer pressure.

A reward or punishment used to enforce norms. Can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments) for norm compliance.

A norm that forbids a behavior viewed as highly offensive. Often culturally specific, like incest or cannibalism prohibitions.

A strongly held norm tied to morality, with serious sanctions. Violations trigger strong social condemnation or legal consequences.

An informal norm governing everyday behavior and etiquette. Violations result in mild disapproval, like wearing pajamas to work.

A socially defined rule or expectation for behavior. Guides appropriate behavior within specific social contexts.

A cultural element present in all known human societies. Examples include language, family structures, and religious practices.

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices learned socially. Encompasses the collective patterns that guide social behavior.

A culturally defined standard of what is desirable or important. Shapes priorities and goals, like individualism vs. collectivism.

A conviction that something is true, regardless of evidence. Forms worldviews and assumptions about reality and human nature.

Complete adoption of a new culture with loss of original culture. Results in minority groups becoming indistinguishable from dominant culture.

Adopting elements of another culture after prolonged contact. Involves selective adoption while maintaining original cultural identity.

Maintaining multiple cultural traditions within one society. Promotes cultural diversity and equal respect for different traditions.

A reward or punishment used to enforce norms. Sanctions maintain conformity through social control mechanisms.

A shared standard of what a group considers desirable or important. Values guide behavior and serve as criteria for judging actions.

A conviction that something is true, often culturally shared. Beliefs shape worldview and influence behavior within cultural contexts.

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices learned socially. Encompasses all aspects of social life transmitted through interaction.

Folkways: mild norms; mores: morally significant norms. Violating folkways causes mild disapproval; violating mores causes outrage.

Language influences thought and perception of reality. Suggests language structure affects cognitive processes and worldview.

Law. Laws are formalized norms enforced by governmental authority.

Informal norm; violation usually brings mild disapproval. Examples include etiquette rules like table manners or dress codes.

Adopting traits of another culture after sustained contact. Involves partial cultural change while maintaining original identity.

A symbolic communication system that transmits culture. Language preserves and passes cultural knowledge across generations.