Sociology; concepts of culture

Nature-nuture debate, some is learnt, while some is genetic.

Values - beliefs on what is good and what is bad.

Norms - guidelines for behaviour.

Mores - behaviour that is seen as unacceptable within a culture, i.e. incest.

Social roles - certain behaviour from certain people in society.

Subculture - a culture within a culture.

Can develop through shared cultural tradition or a response to social inequality, e.g. food, language, social class.

Albert Cohen (1955) believed that young working class men were less likely to get a good job, leading to status frustration at being a low social class, so values and norms turned 'upside down', and this is a way of getting back at society.

Culture can also be thought of as the best and most accomplished artistic works

High culture is the cultural taste of the elite. Marxism; they benefit from seeming superior, is re-inforced through socialisation.

Cultural capital - amount of skills per social class.

Mass culture is the tastes of the lower socio-economic group. It is used negatively.

Marxists claim it's pessimistic because it robs the working class of potential in life.

Proposed link in that capitalism create false needs through advertising for working class, stops them thinking about political issues and is a one-dimensional view of society.

Popular culture is more commercialised and reflects 'ordinary' life.

Through this, the youth managed to challenge society e.g through music.

Globalisation is the process of global companies forming a shared identity amongst all.

The emergence of global media corporations mean people watch and listen to the same things, which means a shared identity and an easier target market.

Marxist believe this advertises false needs and provides more money for the capitalists.