<aside> ☝ From this section, you must know…
Culture – the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
We categorize culture into two parts:
First, who is practicing that culture? This is separated by two groups:
| High Culture | Low/Popular Culture |
|---|---|
| Behaviors and ideas that set apart a society’s elite | Behaviors and ideas that are popular in a society |
| Example: Ballet, art | Ex: Video Games, Movies |
Secondly, mainstream versus subculture
| Mainstream | Subculture |
|---|---|
| Cultural patterns that are in line with society’s beliefs and values | Cultural patterns that set a population apart from larger society |
Ethnocentrism - Judging other cultures according to the standards and values of one’s own culture
Multiculturalism – Recognizing cultural diversity and appreciating the equal standing of all cultural traditions
People often judge other cultures as strange or not ‘normal’ because they practice different traditions or hold different beliefs. For example, if you come from a traditionally American household, you might think it is strange that adults may live with their parents in other cultures. This belief that your way is the ‘right way’ is ethnocentrism.
Multiculturalism is the opposite. It involves firstly, recognizing that there are other points of view and secondly, appreciating and accepting differences.