Question

REVIEW QUESTIONS RI. Define "culture," and list the major elements of a culure. 2. Briefly discuss the importance of culture in any society. 3. Define what is meant by social norms, and define and give examples of the three specific rypes of cultural norms. 4. Explain the differences between ethnacentrism, xenocentrism, temporocentrism, and cultural relativism.

Answer 1

• 3.The term 'culture' refers to attitudes and patterns of behavior in a given group. 'Norm' refers to attitudes and behaviors that are considered normal, typical or average within that group.All societies have cultural norms. Even though norms influence every facet of our lives, including what we value, our attitudes, and how we behave, we are often unaware that we are influenced at all.
• Social Norms are unwritten rules about how to behave. They provide us with an expected idea of how to behave in a particular social group or culture. For example we expect students to arrive to lesson on time and complete their work.
• The idea of norms provides a key to understanding social influence in general and conformity in particular. Social norms are the accepted standards of behavior of social groups.
• For example,in Middle East,they have the cultural norm of women always wearing a hijab covering their head and face,when they step outside the house and no short clothes are allowed for them.
• In India,people are not allowed to wear shorts or skirts in certain temples.Full clothing is required in holy places.Also women in rural India are required to always cover their heads.
• The United States is a “mixing pot” of many different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. As such, certain “norms” have developed over the years and can be found being used by people from all different backgrounds.For example,Giving the thumbs up is a positive affirmation of “yes.” and Wearing flip flops, sweat pants, wrinkled shirts, and other less-than-casual clothing in public places is normal.
• Types of cultural norms:-
• Taboo is a type of norm that is strongly valued and upheld topic of conversation to the extent where breaking it can result in a judgment and extreme shaming from others. Hence such topics are refrained from being talked over normally and especially in public. Examples of taboo topics can include drug addiction or prostitution.Especially in middle eastern cultures it is considered a taboo.
• Mores-These are the types of norms that usually define or establish the behavior or moral standards within a culture or society. These give a clear indication of what might sound or seem normal in normal circumstances in the society. A good example can be a childbirth that is a result of couples having sexual relations without being married to each other,this could be normal in western cultures but not in Indian eastern cultures.
• Laws are norms that are a set of rules/regulations that are invented and defined by a given culture’s/society’s governing body. These are important to maintain a just and fair society. Ranging from family rights to property rights, the laws act as guidance medium for the people so that they know what is clearly right or wrong.For example,in many countries spitting on the road is a punishable offense.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation