Subculture vs counterculture | Society and Culture | MCAT | Khan Academy

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24 Oct 201403:30
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TLDRThis script explores the concept of subcultures as distinct meso-level communities within a larger society, sharing some cultural aspects yet differing in significant ways. It distinguishes subcultures from microcultures by their enduring impact on individuals' lives, exemplified by ethnic and religious groups in the U.S. The script also delves into countercultures, like the Old Order Amish, whose values starkly contrast mainstream norms, illustrating the dynamic interplay between societal groups and their cultural identities.

Takeaways
  • 🌐 A subculture is a distinct meso-level community within a larger society, characterized by its own set of values, beliefs, and rules.
  • 🔍 The term 'meso-level' indicates a population size that is intermediate between micro and macro levels, focusing on medium-sized groups.
  • 🏙️ Examples of meso-level groups include communities, organizations, cities, states, clans, and tribes, which can have their own subcultures.
  • 📚 Subcultures maintain some aspects of the dominant culture while also having unique elements that set them apart.
  • 🌟 Subcultures are large enough to support individuals throughout their entire lives, unlike microcultures which influence only a small segment of life.
  • 👥 Microcultures, such as girl scout troops or college sororities, have a limited impact on a person's life compared to subcultures.
  • 🌍 In the United States, examples of subcultures include ethnic groups like Mexican-Americans and religious groups such as Orthodox Jews in New York City.
  • 💼 Subcultures can also represent social classes, such as the elite upper class, and may cause tension with the dominant group.
  • ⚖️ The dominant group has the power to set societal cultural expectations, which can lead to conflicts with subcultures that hold different values.
  • 🚫 When subcultures violate the laws of the dominant society, they may evolve into a counterculture, which strongly disagrees with the main values of society.
  • 🛤️ The Old Order Amish are an example of a counterculture, rejecting mainstream technology and consumerism in favor of simpler living based on religious principles.
Q & A

  • What is a subculture?

    -A subculture is the culture of a meso-level subcommunity that distinguishes itself from the dominant culture of a larger society. It is smaller than a nation but large enough to support individuals throughout their entire lifespan.

  • What distinguishes a subculture from a microculture?

    -A subculture is larger than a microculture and is capable of supporting people throughout their entire lifespan, unlike microcultures, which affect only a small segment of one's life and influence a limited period.

  • What does 'meso-level' refer to in the context of a subculture?

    -Meso-level refers to a population size that falls between micro and macro levels. In this context, sociologists look at medium-sized groups such as communities, organizations, cities, states, clans, and tribes.

  • How does a subculture relate to the dominant culture of a larger society?

    -A subculture is different from the dominant culture of a larger society in some ways but still shares some of the dominant culture's values, beliefs, and rules.

  • Can you provide examples of subcultures in the United States?

    -Examples of subcultures in the United States include ethnic groups such as Mexican-Americans, religious groups like the Orthodox Jews in New York City, and social classes such as the elite upper class.

  • What is the difference between a subculture and a counterculture?

    -A subculture differs in some ways from the larger society but still shares some of its culture. A counterculture, on the other hand, has expectations and values that strongly disagree with the main values of the particular society.

  • What is polygamy, and how does it relate to the example of Mormons in the United States?

    -Polygamy is the practice of being married to more than one spouse at the same time. The script mentions that a small percentage of Mormons in the United States believe in polygamy, specifically polygyny, which is marrying multiple wives and is illegal in Utah where many Mormons live.

  • What is the Old Order Amish, and why are they considered a counterculture?

    -The Old Order Amish are a counterculture represented by their rejection of mainstream ideas such as technology and consumerism. They drive horse-drawn wagons and rarely use electricity or modern technology, adhering to their religious principles that call for a simpler lifestyle.

  • How can subcultures cause tension with the dominant group?

    -Subcultures can cause tension with the dominant group when their unique practices or beliefs conflict with the cultural expectations and laws of the dominant society.

  • What is the significance of the dominant group's power in determining cultural expectations of society?

    -The dominant group has the power to set societal norms and expectations, which can lead to conflicts with subcultures or countercultures that hold different values or practices.

  • Why is it important to understand the concept of subcultures in sociology?

    -Understanding subcultures is important in sociology as it helps to analyze and appreciate the diversity within societies, the dynamics between different groups, and the ways in which cultural identities are formed and maintained.

Outlines
00:00
🌐 Understanding Subcultures

The script introduces the concept of a subculture as a distinct meso-level community within a larger society, characterized by its own set of values, beliefs, and rules. It differentiates subcultures from both larger nations and smaller microcultures, emphasizing that subcultures are sizable enough to support individuals for their entire lives. The summary explains that while subcultures maintain some aspects of the dominant culture, they also possess unique features that set them apart. Examples of subcultures in the United States, such as Mexican-Americans and Orthodox Jews, are provided to illustrate the concept.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Subculture
A subculture is a distinct group within a larger society that has its own set of values, beliefs, and practices. It is a meso-level subcommunity that distinguishes itself from the dominant culture. In the video, subcultures are described as being different in some ways but still sharing some elements of the dominant society's culture. Examples given include ethnic groups such as Mexican-Americans and religious groups like Orthodox Jews in New York City.
💡Meso-level
Meso-level refers to a scale of analysis that falls between micro and macro levels. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the population size of a subculture, indicating that it is larger than a microculture but smaller than a nation. The video mentions that sociologists at the meso-level look at medium-sized groups such as communities, organizations, cities, and states.
💡Dominant culture
The dominant culture is the mainstream culture within a society that holds the most influence and power. In the video, it is contrasted with subcultures, which may have unique characteristics but still share some elements of the dominant culture. The dominant culture sets the cultural expectations of society, as illustrated by the example of Mormons and polygamy, which is against the laws of the dominant society.
💡Microculture
A microculture is a small group or organization that influences a limited segment or period of an individual's life. Unlike a subculture, which can support a person throughout their entire lifespan, a microculture is more temporary or specific in its influence. Examples from the video include girl scout troops, college sororities, and boarding schools.
💡Counterculture
A counterculture is a group with values and expectations that strongly disagree with the main values of a particular society. It emerges when the conflict between a subculture and the dominant culture becomes serious, and the subculture's practices violate the laws of the dominant society. The video provides the example of the Old Order Amish, who reject mainstream technology and consumerism in favor of their religious principles and a simpler lifestyle.
💡Values
Values are the beliefs and ideals that guide the behavior and decision-making of individuals or groups. In the video, values are discussed in the context of subcultures and countercultures, which have their own distinct values that may differ from those of the dominant culture. Values are central to the identity and practices of a subculture, as seen in the example of the Amish valuing simplicity over modern technology.
💡Beliefs
Beliefs are the convictions or acceptances that individuals or groups hold as true. The video discusses how subcultures have their own set of beliefs that may distinguish them from the dominant culture. For instance, the belief in polygamy among a small percentage of Mormons is highlighted as a belief that conflicts with the laws of the dominant society.
💡Rules
Rules are the established guidelines or principles that govern behavior within a society or group. The video explains that a subculture has its own set of rules that make up its culture, differentiating it from the dominant culture. These rules are part of what defines the subculture and its practices, as seen in the Amish community's rejection of modern technology.
💡Sociologists
Sociologists are scholars who study society and social behavior. In the video, sociologists are mentioned in the context of analyzing subcultures at the meso-level, examining medium-sized groups within society. Their role is to understand the dynamics between subcultures, microcultures, and the dominant culture.
💡Polygamy
Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. The video uses polygamy as an example of a belief held by a small percentage of Mormons that conflicts with the laws of the dominant society. It is important to note that the term polygyny specifically refers to a man having more than one wife, which is the practice mentioned in the script.
💡Amish
The Amish are a traditionalist Christian group known for their simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern conveniences. In the video, the Amish are presented as a counterculture because they strongly disagree with the values of mainstream society, particularly regarding technology and consumerism. Their lifestyle is an example of a subculture that has evolved into a counterculture due to its stark differences with the dominant culture.
Highlights

A subculture is the culture of a meso-level subcommunity that distinguishes itself from the dominant culture of a larger society.

Subcultures are smaller than a nation but large enough to support people throughout their entire lifespan, unlike microcultures.

Culture encompasses the ideas, values, beliefs, and rules of a society.

Meso-level refers to a population size that falls between micro and macro levels, focusing on medium-sized groups.

Examples of meso-level groups include communities, organizations, cities, states, clans, and tribes.

A subcommunity is a smaller community within a larger one, such as a city within a state.

A subculture consists of the rules and ideas of a medium-sized community.

Subcultures are different from the dominant culture in some ways but still share some cultural aspects.

Subcultures can include ethnic groups, exclusive religious groups, and social classes.

Subcultures affect an individual's life for a longer period than microcultures, such as girl scout troops or college sororities.

Subcultures can cause tension with the dominant group, which has the power to determine societal cultural expectations.

An example of subcultural conflict is the small percentage of Mormons practicing polygamy, which is illegal in Utah.

A counterculture emerges when a subculture's values strongly disagree with the main values of a particular society.

The Old Order Amish is an example of a counterculture, rejecting mainstream ideas like technology and consumerism.

Countercultures have their own values and expectations that differ greatly from those of the larger society.

The Amish's religious principles call for a simpler lifestyle, setting them apart as a counterculture.

Transcripts

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SubcultureDominant CultureMeso-LevelSociologyCultural IdentityMicrocultureLifespan SupportEthnic GroupsReligious GroupsCountercultureAmish Community