Cultural Expression
<aside> ☝ From this section, you must know…
Culture – the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
| Customary Beliefs | Social Forms | Material Traits |
|---|---|---|
| The values and standards that determine right from wrong. | The standards that determine how people are supposed to interact with each other. | The objects and symbols that people determine are valuable or sacred. |
| Example: Individualism | Handshakes, “Good morning” | Mansions, expensive cars |
These are enforced by sets of behaviors that are encouraged or punished…
| Norms | Taboos |
|---|---|
| Rules or expectations of behavior; appearance, food choices, shelter, etc. | Behaviors that are forbidden or judged as not normal |
Counterculture – A subculture that pushes back on mainstream culture to change how society functions.
The 1960’s US counterculture
The political and cultural revolution of the 1960’s Civil Rights, feminist, environmentalist, and anti-war movements was one of the most famous countercultures in the US.
A more modern counterculture movement would be the 2022 protests against the treatment of women in traditionalist Iranian society.
Cultural enclave – A distinct cultural or social unit enclosed within a larger culture
For example, Houston’s Bellaire District is an Asian cultural enclave in the heart of Houston.
Cultural Appropriation – When members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture that has been oppressed
