Topic 1: Different conceptions of culture, including subculture, mass culture, folk culture, high and low culture, popular culture and global culture.

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  • Created by: gxgxndeep
  • Created on: 15-04-17 11:39
Define culture.
The language, beliefs, values, norms and other things that make up the 'way of life' of any society.
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How is culture is passed on?
It is passed on from one generation to the next through socialisation.
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Define dominant culture.
The main culture in a society that is shared and accepted without opposition by a majority of people.
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What are the features of British culture?
White, patriarchal and unequal.
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How does the dominant culture achieve its dominance?
By controlling social institutions such as education and law.
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Define subculture.
A group who share values and norms that are different to those of the mainstream culture - a culture within a culture.
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Define subcultures of resistance.
Subcultures that are in opposition (not just different) to the dominant culture e.g. subcultures found in schools.
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What did WILLIS find in his study of working class lads?
He found an anti-school subculture in which resistance to schooling and the school's culture was highly valued.
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Why do some ethnic minority students form subcultures?
To resist racism and disadvantages in school.
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What did HALL AND JEFFERSON see some youth subcultures as?
As forms of resistance to the dominant culture.
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Define folk culture.
The culture created by local communities - it is rooted in the experiences, customs and beliefs of the everyday life of ordinary people.
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Why is folk culture authentic?
It is authentic because it is created by ordinary people themselves e.g. folk songs and dance.
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What does folk culture involve?
It involves active participation and involvement of people.
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Define high culture.
Cultural products that are of lasting artistic or literary value and are approved of by elites and the middle and upper classes.
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What does high culture involve?
It involves things of lasting value and is part of a heritage that is worth preserving
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Where are high culture products found?
In places like art galleries and museums and includes things like classical music, ballet and established literature e.g. Shakespeare.
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Define mass culture.
Commercially produced culture involving cultural products produced for sale to the mass of ordinary people.
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Define popular culture.
Cultural products liked by the mass of ordinary people.
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Define low culture.
A derogatory term used to describe popular and mass culture - it suggests that they are inferior to the high culture of the elite.
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Who is mass and popular culture aimed at?
It is aimed at the mass of ordinary people (working class) and is spread on a wide scale.
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Why is it commercially manufactured by businesses, according to STRINATI?
For a profit.
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Why is mass culture dumbed down?
So that it can appeal to as many people as possible.
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What is mass culture concerned with?
It is concerned with making money for large corporations (especially the media).
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Why is popular culture attacked?
For driving down cultural standards and for having a harmful effect on mass audiences.
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Why does BOURDIEU believe that high culture is superior?
Because the dominant class have the power to impose its own cultural ideas on the rest of society. People are socialised into accepting the superiority of the high culture.
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What manipulates people into consuming cultural products?
Advertising and the media.
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How did MACDONALD see mass culture?
As trivial and inauthentic.
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Define hegemony.
Acceptance of the dominant ideology.
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How does STRINATI see mass culture?
As worthy of studying and having value.
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What did LIVINGSTONE find about the benefits of TV soap operas?
These shows are beneficial as they can educate people about controversial and important social issues.
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What do consumers of popular culture think about their critics?
They believe that the elitists are the critics and that they prefer high culture over the 'slob' culture of the masses.
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What do postmodernists believe about the distinction between high culture and popular culture?
The distinction is weakening - people can now pick 'n' mix from either high or popular culture.
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What do marxists suggest about high culture?
It is becoming more popularised and commercialised and has been forced to become more fun for everyone.
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Why is there no longer any real distinction between high and popular culture?
Because elements of high culture have become part of popular culture, and vice versa.
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Why does GIDDINGS think that high culture art is no longer special?
Because it is now being sold in the mass popular culture market - copies of high culture items are being reproduced on things e.g. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was turned into a TV series.
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What does GIDDINGS say about the line between high and popular culture?
The lines between high and popular culture are like a borders between countries: 'they are only there because we are told they are there...'
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Define globalisation.
The growing inter-connectedness of societies across the world.
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Define global culture.
Cultures across the world have become more alike and now share a similar way of life.
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What does the evolution of new media technology play a role in, according to FLEW?
It plays a role in the development of a global popular culture which weakens local cultures.
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What has global marketing resulted in?
People are now watching similar things across the world which means that they are sharing aspects of their lifestyles and identities.
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Define cultural homogenisation.
Different cultures are now becoming more alike and are merging into one uniform culture.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How is culture is passed on?

Back

It is passed on from one generation to the next through socialisation.

Card 3

Front

Define dominant culture.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the features of British culture?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How does the dominant culture achieve its dominance?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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