Cultures, Subcultures, and Countercultures: Crash Course Sociology #11

CrashCourse
22 May 201709:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script explores the concept of culture, challenging the notion of a fixed number of cultures and emphasizing their fluid nature within and across societies. It delves into cultural distinctions like high vs. low culture, mainstream vs. subcultures, and the influence of class on cultural patterns. The role of counter-cultures in driving societal change and the impact of ethnocentrism and multiculturalism on cultural understanding are discussed. The video also examines the causes of cultural change, including invention, discovery, and diffusion, and considers the sociological perspectives on culture's role in society.

Takeaways
  • 🌐 There is no definitive number of cultures in the world as culture encompasses a complex mix of norms, symbols, and languages that vary greatly among individuals and groups.
  • 🏠 Culture is not solely defined by nationality or language; people living in the same country and speaking the same language can have distinct cultural backgrounds.
  • 🌈 Within a single country or city, multiple cultures coexist, and an individual's cultural identity is a blend of various influences.
  • 📈 Social class can influence cultural patterns, distinguishing between 'low' or 'popular' culture and 'high' culture, which are not necessarily indicators of superiority or inferiority.
  • 🏆 The concept of 'high culture' refers to cultural practices associated with a society's elite, while 'low culture' or 'popular culture' includes those that are widely enjoyed by the masses.
  • 🎭 Mainstream culture consists of cultural patterns that align with a society's dominant ideals and values, whereas subcultures represent distinct cultural expressions within a society.
  • 🤷‍♂️ The distinction between mainstream culture and subculture is not always clear-cut, as societal influence and power dynamics can shift what is considered the norm.
  • 🌳 The United States, often viewed as a 'melting pot,' is a complex mix of subcultures that do not always blend seamlessly, and some cultures are more valued than others.
  • 🧐 Ethnocentrism involves judging other cultures by the standards of one's own, which can lead to biases and misinterpretations of different cultural practices.
  • 🌱 Cultural change can occur through invention, discovery, and cultural diffusion, which is the spread of cultural traits from one society to another.
  • 🌟 Sociological perspectives on culture, such as structural functionalism and conflict theory, offer different insights into how culture can either promote societal cohesion or contribute to social divisions.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic discussed in the script?

    -The main topic discussed in the script is the concept of culture, its various aspects, and how different cultures and subcultures interact within society.

  • What are some elements that make up a culture?

    -Elements that make up a culture include norms, symbols, and languages, which are part of the shared values, beliefs, and practices of a group of people.

  • Why is it difficult to determine a specific number of cultures in the world?

    -It is difficult to determine a specific number of cultures because culture is not solely about nationality or language. Different cultural backgrounds can exist within the same country or city, and each person's cultural background is influenced by a variety of factors.

  • What is the difference between 'low culture' and 'high culture'?

    -Low culture, also known as popular culture, includes cultural behaviors and ideas that are popular with most people in a society. High culture refers to cultural patterns that distinguish a society's elite. It is important to note that 'high culture' does not imply superiority over 'low culture'.

  • How does social class affect culture and vice versa?

    -Social class affects culture by influencing cultural patterns and preferences, such as leisure activities, television shows, and clothing brands. In turn, culture can reinforce or challenge social class distinctions and contribute to the perception of what is considered 'high' or 'low' culture.

  • What is mainstream culture, and how does it relate to subcultures?

    -Mainstream culture consists of the cultural patterns that align broadly with a society's ideals and values. Subcultures are cultural patterns that set apart a segment of the population, often with distinct interests or behaviors that differ from the mainstream.

  • What is ethnocentrism, and why is it problematic?

    -Ethnocentrism is the practice of judging one culture by the standards of another, often one's own. It is problematic because it can lead to bias and unfair evaluations of other cultures, potentially overlooking or undervaluing their unique qualities and contributions.

  • What is multiculturalism, and how does it differ from a melting pot approach to culture?

    -Multiculturalism is a perspective that recognizes and advocates for the equal standing of all cultural traditions within a society, rather than viewing it as a homogenous culture. It differs from a melting pot approach, which suggests that various cultures blend together to form a single, unified culture.

  • How can counter-cultures impact societal change?

    -Counter-cultures can act as catalysts for cultural change by challenging mainstream values and norms. If they gain enough support, they can influence societal attitudes and policies, as seen in the counter-cultural movements of the 1960s that contributed to various social and political changes.

  • What are some factors that contribute to cultural change?

    -Factors contributing to cultural change include the invention of new things, such as technology or ideas; the discovery of new elements, like food or resources; and cultural diffusion, which is the spread of cultural traits from one culture to another.

  • How do structural functionalism and conflict theory view the role of culture in society differently?

    -Structural functionalism sees culture as providing order and cohesiveness in society, suggesting that a shared culture is beneficial for social cooperation and functioning. In contrast, conflict theory views culture as a source of division that can create social inequalities and benefit some members of society more than others.

Outlines
00:00
🌐 Understanding Cultures and Their Diversity

This paragraph delves into the complex nature of defining cultures, emphasizing that culture is not solely determined by nationality or language. It highlights the existence of multiple cultures within a single country or city, influenced by various factors. The script refutes the idea of a fixed number of cultures, advocating for the recognition of cultural patterns and changes. It introduces the concept of social class and its impact on cultural distinctions, distinguishing between 'low' or 'popular' culture and 'high' culture, which are not necessarily indicative of superiority. The paragraph also touches on mainstream and subcultures, using examples like the 'hipster' subculture to illustrate the fluidity of cultural boundaries.

05:01
🚫 Counter-Cultures and the Dynamics of Cultural Change

The second paragraph examines the concept of counter-cultures, which actively oppose mainstream culture to instigate societal change. It takes a historical perspective, referencing the 1960s as a period rich with countercultural movements such as beatniks and hippies, which challenged traditional norms and values. The paragraph outlines how these movements influenced significant political and social changes, including anti-war sentiment, environmentalism, civil rights, and LGBTQ equality. It also discusses the broader mechanisms of cultural change, such as invention, discovery, and cultural diffusion, using examples like the integration of tomatoes into European cuisine and the Americanization of global cultural elements. The summary concludes with a reflection on the impact of globalization on cultural overlap and the ongoing debate between structural functionalism and conflict theory regarding the role of culture in society.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Culture
Culture refers to the collective customs, beliefs, values, and norms that distinguish one group of people from another. It includes language, symbols, and practices that are passed down through generations. In the video, culture is discussed as a complex and multifaceted concept that is not limited to nationality or language, and it is shown to exist within and across national borders, influencing how individuals and groups interact and perceive the world.
💡Norms
Norms are the unwritten rules of behavior that are considered acceptable within a culture. They guide social interactions and are a fundamental part of what makes a culture distinct. In the script, norms are mentioned as one of the elements that constitute a culture and are used to illustrate how culture can vary greatly even among people living in the same geographical area.
💡Symbols
Symbols are objects, characters, or colors that carry particular meanings within a culture. They serve as a means of communication and can represent complex ideas or concepts. The video script discusses symbols as part of what lumps together to form a culture, indicating that they are integral to understanding and interpreting cultural expressions.
💡Nationality
Nationality typically refers to the legal relationship between an individual and a country, often associated with citizenship. The script points out that while nationality can influence culture, it is not the sole determinant of one's cultural background, emphasizing that culture is more nuanced and encompasses a variety of influences.
💡Subculture
A subculture is a smaller cultural group within a larger culture that has distinct patterns of behavior and beliefs. The video script uses the example of 'hipsters' to illustrate the concept of subculture, highlighting how subcultures can develop around specific ideas or ways of life that set them apart from the mainstream.
💡Mainstream Culture
Mainstream culture refers to the dominant cultural patterns that are widely accepted and practiced within a society. The script explains that mainstream culture encompasses the ideals and values that are broadly recognized and followed by the majority, and it contrasts this with subcultures that may have different or opposing values.
💡Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge other cultures by the standards of one's own. The video discusses ethnocentrism as a practice that can lead to biased views and unfair judgments of other cultures, using the term to highlight the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural diversity.
💡Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is a perspective that acknowledges and values the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society, advocating for equal standing for all cultural traditions. The script contrasts multiculturalism with ethnocentrism, presenting it as a more inclusive and equitable approach to cultural diversity.
💡Counter-culture
A counter-culture is a subculture that actively opposes the mainstream culture, often advocating for change in societal norms or values. The video script discusses the 1960s as a period of significant counter-cultural activity, highlighting how counter-cultures can act as catalysts for broader cultural change.
💡Cultural Change
Cultural change refers to the evolution or transformation of cultural elements over time. The video script explores various factors that can lead to cultural change, such as the invention of new technologies, the discovery of new ideas, and the process of cultural diffusion where traits spread from one culture to another.
💡Cultural Lag
Cultural lag is a concept where some elements of a culture change more slowly than others, resulting in a lag or delay in the cultural adaptation to new conditions or technologies. The script uses the example of summer vacations in the U.S. education system to illustrate how cultural lag can persist even when the original reasons for a cultural practice are no longer relevant.
💡Cultural Diffusion
Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultural traits, ideas, or practices spread from one culture to another. The video script discusses cultural diffusion as a significant factor in cultural change, using examples such as the adoption of food items like tomatoes and the influence of philosophical ideas on the founding of the United States.
Highlights

Culture encompasses more than just nationality and language, as individuals can have distinct cultural backgrounds even within the same geographical area.

There is no definitive number of cultures in the world due to the complex and overlapping nature of cultural influences.

Cultural patterns and changes can be understood and recognized without a single agreed-upon definition of culture.

Social class distinctions are a way to differentiate cultural patterns, with 'low culture' and 'high culture' reflecting popular and elite cultural expressions, respectively.

The terms 'low culture' and 'high culture' do not imply a hierarchy of cultural value but rather different cultural expressions within society.

Mainstream culture represents the dominant cultural ideals and values of a society, while subcultures represent distinct segments with their own cultural patterns.

The concept of the 'melting pot' in the US is challenged by the recognition of unique subcultures that do not necessarily blend into a single cohesive culture.

Cultural values can be privileged or marginalized within a society, as seen in the example of Christian culture's influence on American holidays.

Ethnocentrism is the practice of judging other cultures by the standards of one's own, which can lead to biased interpretations of cultural behaviors.

Afrocentrism and multiculturalism are approaches that aim to re-center historical and sociological studies on underrepresented cultures and promote cultural diversity, respectively.

Structural functionalism and conflict theory offer contrasting perspectives on the role of culture in society, with the former emphasizing order and the latter highlighting potential inequalities.

Counter-cultures actively oppose mainstream culture and can act as catalysts for societal change, as seen in the 1960s with movements for civil rights and environmentalism.

Cultural change can occur through invention, discovery, and cultural diffusion, which involves the spread of cultural traits from one society to another.

Globalization and technological advancements are leading to an increased overlap of cultures and the sharing of cultural elements across nations.

The debate between structural functionalism and conflict theory becomes more relevant in a globalized world, questioning whether culture unites or divides society.

Cultural change is a dynamic process influenced by various factors, including new inventions, the discovery of new elements, and the exchange of cultural traits between societies.

Cultural lag is a phenomenon where some elements of culture change more slowly than others, reflecting historical practices that persist despite changes in societal needs.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Cultural DiversitySociologySubculturesNormsSymbolsLanguagesNationalitySocial ClassHigh CultureLow CultureCounter-Culture