Theories of culture
- Created by: Megan_6
- Created on: 02-12-19 14:45
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- MORRIS
- Biology shapes culture as sharing nature is based on the inbuilt need to survive through continuing the life of a social group
- Many aspects of society are viewed as social constructs - e.g. gender differences are the product of society
- EVALUATION
- Culture is the product of biology or nature
- MORRIS
- Biology shapes culture as sharing nature is based on the inbuilt need to survive through continuing the life of a social group
- SOCIOBIOLOGY
- MORRIS
- Culture is the product of biology or nature
- EVALUATION
- Pre-industrial society
- Individual identity was secondary to cultural conformity -> high levels of solidarity or social belonging
- Social order through mechanical solidarity
- Function of social institutions was to socialise individuals into the value consensus
- DURKHEIM
- All societies are characterised by social order - people's behaviour is generally patterned and predictable
- Society's member's are united by a value consensus [share the same cultural value, goals and norms
- Culture = the cement that bonds individuals together in society
- EVALUATION
- INTERPRETIVISTS: sees people as less important than society and culture - they're passive
- Exaggerates the extent that culture is shared, e.g. in Britain there are diverse social classes and ethnic groups
- Helps to explain why shared culture is important and why most societies do not break apart easily
- Social conflict was generally neglected
- Exaggerates cultural consensus and hence social order
- Modern societies
- Industrialisation and urbanisation have the potential to undermine value consensus and cultural conformity, resulting in the possibility of anomie
- DURKHEIM
- All societies are characterised by social order - people's behaviour is generally patterned and predictable
- Society's member's are united by a value consensus [share the same cultural value, goals and norms
- Culture = the cement that bonds individuals together in society
- EVALUATION
- INTERPRETIVISTS: sees people as less important than society and culture - they're passive
- Exaggerates the extent that culture is shared, e.g. in Britain there are diverse social classes and ethnic groups
- Helps to explain why shared culture is important and why most societies do not break apart easily
- Social conflict was generally neglected
- Exaggerates cultural consensus and hence social order
- Cultural goals that achievement, competition and hard work are all important
- Social orders could be maintained if social institutions social people into a shared culture
- Specialised division of labour reinforces social order leading to people becoming dependent upon each other for survival and continuation
- Should be based on organic solidarity
- Modern societies
- Industrialisation and urbanisation have the potential to undermine value consensus and cultural conformity, resulting in the possibility of anomie
- Social orders could be maintained if social institutions social people into a shared culture
- GRAMSCI
- Individuals in capitalist societies possess dual consciousness
- People see the world through the ideology of the ruling class, but experience everyday exploitation which help to see that capitalism is not fair
- Acknowledge that not everyone will accept ruling-class ideology to the same extent - some aspects of culture will be shared but different classes will have different cultures
- NEO-MARXISM
- THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL
- ADORNO: While personality was the product of upbringing, racist prejudices were the product of culture
- MARCUSE: One dimensional man - result of mass communication and advertising dumbing down culture
- EVALUATION
- MACDONALD: Mass culture prevents radical and progressive change
- Might underestimate the extent that ruling class culture is challenged in the media and elsewhere
- NEO-MARXISM
- EVALUATION
- Overemphasises social class as the main source of conflict in society
- FEMINISM: Culture is the result of male dominance - the contribution of women to social life is consistently devalued in patriarchal societies despite their class background
- Assumes that w.class are passive victims
- NEO-MARXISTS: w.class may be aware of inequality and exploitation
- Marx predicted that capitalism would be overthrown as the w.class recognise their exploitation though there is little sign of this
- MARX
- MARXISM
- Social institutions are used to socialise society's members into accepting ruling class culture and see their low status as 'normal' or 'natural'
- Cultural ideas and values are dominated by the ruling class ideology
- Capitalist societies are characterised by class inequalities of wealth, income and power - the bourgeoisie used their wealth to acquire political and cultural power to protect their interests
- MEAD AND BLUMER
- Social structure largely consists of roles w/ norms associated with them
- How a good parent should act
- These roles are flexible and open to interpretation and change
- Roles might change over time as people interpret them differently - as these roles change so does the culture of a society
- These roles are flexible and open to interpretation and change
- Roles might change over time as people interpret them differently - as these roles change so does the culture of a society
- INTERPRETIVISM
- There is the potential for individuals to change the culture of society by acting differently
- Culture is not just a product of shared norms and values or the belief of the ruling class, but is also produced by individuals as they interact
- EVALUATION
- Recognises that individuals have a degree of agency that is often ignored by structural theories
- MARXIST AND FEMINIST: Neglect class or gender inequalities and differences in power
- Neglects wider structural features of society
- There is the potential for individuals to change the culture of society by acting differently
- Social structure largely consists of roles w/ norms associated with them
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