culture and identity

Types of culture

Culture refers to the whole way of life of society meaning that it invloves shared beliefs (things we accept that are true or exsist). 

Values, norms,customs, language, symbols, history and knowledge all structure the life of a social group. All of these things influence how members of society live their lives.

The concept of culture is also used to refer to specific cutural forms and often these are used in order to judge people--> for example: some people see certain types of culture as better than others.

High culture: this term is used to refer to cultural and artistic products that are seen to have high status withing our society such as theatre, opera, art meuseums ect... it is associated with the tastes of the weathly and educated people that are within our society and often juxtaposed with 'low' culture or 'mass' culture. High culture is highly valued in our society as it is the cultural tatses of the elite.                                                                                              Key Factors--> Elitist; refelcts the highest achievements of humanity, sophisticated and takes skill to make

Mass culture: this term is used in a negative way in order to describe the cultural tastes of the majority of people within our society (working classes). Used by sociologists who believe that most of contemporary culture in manufactured, artifical and mass produced and do not reflect any genuine craft and skill or culture creativity: mass culture is rather all about the purchase and consumption of culture products                                                           For example--> soap operas and pop music.

Popular culture: the difference between 'mass' and 'popular' culture is not based on the items but rather how you view them. Popular culture is used to describe something that is seen as positive (CCCS) whilst mass media is used to describe something you do not like (Frankfurt school)             …