Culture
Short Questions
1. Who first used the term “culture” in 1871?
Answer: Edward Tylor first used the term “culture” in 1871.
2. What does material culture consist of?
Answer: Material culture consists of tangible, man-made objects like clothing and computers.
3. Define non-material culture.
Answer: Non-material culture refers to abstract ideas such as norms, values, and beliefs.
4. What is cultural lag?
Answer: Cultural lag is the gap between the rapid change in material culture and the slow change in non-material culture.
5. Give an example of high culture.
Answer: An example of high culture is the classical music of Mozart.
6. What is folk culture?
Answer: Folk culture is the traditional culture of ordinary people, like Lavani in Maharashtra.
7. Name a component of culture.
Answer: A component of culture is language.
8. What are symbols in culture?
Answer: Symbols are objects or gestures representing something else, like a national flag.
9. What is the difference between folkways and mores?
Answer: Folkways are mild customs, while mores are strictly held moral beliefs.
10. How is culture transmitted?
Answer: Culture is transmitted through language, elders, and social interactions.
11. What is ethnocentrism?
Answer: Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.
12. Give an example of cultural hybridization.
Answer: An example of cultural hybridization is Italian pizza with tandoori paneer topping.
13. What is the importance of language in culture?
Answer: Language is the chief vehicle for transmitting and preserving culture.
14. How does culture benefit society?
Answer: Culture benefits society by fostering social solidarity and economic growth through tourism.
15. What is glocalization?
Answer: Glocalization is the adaptation of global products to local cultures, like Indianized McDonald’s burgers.
Long Questions
1. Explain the concept of material and non-material culture with examples.
Answer: Material culture includes tangible objects created by humans, such as roads, jewelry, and smartphones, which enhance daily life and change rapidly. Non-material culture comprises abstract elements like norms, values, and beliefs, such as respect for elders or religious practices, which evolve slowly. The difference lies in their tangibility and rate of change, with material culture adapting faster than non-material culture, leading to cultural lag.
2. Describe the characteristics of culture.
Answer: Culture is acquired through socialization and not inherited biologically, making it a learned behavior passed down generations. It is abstract, existing in the minds and habits of people, and shared among a group to foster unity and identity. Additionally, it is man-made, continually changing, and varies across societies, with language serving as its primary transmission tool.
3. What is cultural hybridization, and how does globalization contribute to it?
Answer: Cultural hybridization is the blending of different cultural elements to create new practices, such as celebrating Valentine’s Day with Indian traditions or fusion food like tandoori pizza. Globalization accelerates this process by enabling the easy flow of migration, information, and goods, allowing cultures to interact and mix. This results in diverse, innovative cultural expressions that reflect both global and local influences.
4. Discuss the social benefits of culture with examples.
Answer: Culture promotes social solidarity by bringing communities together through festivals and fairs, enhancing cohesion and tolerance, as seen in events like Diwali. It also boosts economic growth through cultural tourism, with attractions like the Taj Mahal creating jobs and infrastructure. Furthermore, it fosters pride and belonging by preserving shared heritage, strengthening societal bonds.
5. Explain the concept of ethnocentrism and its positive and negative aspects.
Answer: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior and judge others by its standards, a concept coined by William Graham Sumner. Positively, it boosts group cohesion and pride, reinforcing cultural identity, while negatively, it can lead to arrogance and bias, ignoring valuable aspects of other cultures. This dual nature makes it a significant factor in intercultural relations.
6. What are the components of culture, and how do they function in society?
Answer: The components of culture include symbols (e.g., flags), language (a communication tool), knowledge (coping skills), values and beliefs (moral standards), and norms (behavioral rules). These elements function together to enable social interaction, transmit cultural heritage, and regulate behavior, ensuring a cohesive societal structure. For instance, language helps pass down knowledge, while norms guide daily conduct.
7. Differentiate between high culture and popular culture with examples.
Answer: High culture refers to elite, aesthetically superior creations like classical music by Beethoven or Shakespeare’s literature, appreciated by a refined audience. Popular culture, in contrast, is widely enjoyed by the masses without expertise, such as Star Wars films or Harry Potter books. The distinction lies in status and accessibility, with high culture being exclusive and popular culture being inclusive.
8. How does culture change over time, and what factors influence this change?
Answer: Culture changes gradually as beliefs, traditions, and languages evolve, influenced by migration, globalization, and technological advancements like mobile phones altering communication etiquette. Education and awareness make newer generations more adaptable, leading to the discontinuation or simplification of rituals. This dynamic process reflects society’s response to internal and external pressures.
9. What is the role of language in the transmission of culture?
Answer: Language serves as the chief vehicle of culture by enabling the transmission of accumulated knowledge and traditions from past generations to the future, as seen in storytelling or proverbs. It acts as a common bond within groups, facilitating social activities and preserving cultural identity, unlike animals lacking specific language. Its evolution, such as through WhatsApp, further shapes cultural expressions.
10. Explain the concept of subculture with an example and its significance.
Answer: A subculture is a group within a larger society with distinct values and behaviors, such as the punk subculture with its unique fashion and music, setting it apart from mainstream norms. Its significance lies in providing identity and belonging to members, enriching cultural diversity, and reflecting societal variations. This diversity contributes to a broader understanding of human experiences within a culture.
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