Culture is Learned: It is not inherited through genes but is acquired through social interaction and observation. This distinguishes cultural behavior from instinctive behavior found in many other species.
Culture is Shared: It is a collective phenomenon that belongs to a group rather than an individual. For a thought or action to be considered cultural, it must be recognized and practiced by a significant portion of the social group.
Culture is Adaptive and Dynamic: Cultures change over time in response to environmental shifts, technological innovations, and contact with other groups. This flexibility allows societies to survive and thrive in changing conditions.
| Feature | Folkways | Mores |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | Minor; informal sanctions | Major; formal or strong informal sanctions |
| Nature | Etiquette and customs | Morality and ethics |
| Example | Using the correct fork | Prohibitions against theft |
Identify the 'Why': When analyzing a cultural practice, always look for the underlying value or belief that motivates the behavior. Exams often ask you to connect a visible 'norm' to an invisible 'value'.
Distinguish Norm Types: Pay close attention to the social reaction described in a scenario. If the reaction is a minor frown or social awkwardness, it is likely a folkway; if the reaction involves legal action or moral outrage, it is a more.
Relativism Application: When asked to apply cultural relativism, avoid saying a practice is 'right' or 'wrong.' Instead, explain how the practice functions within that specific society's logic or environmental context.
Check for Diffusion: If a question describes a cultural trait moving from one society to another (like the global popularity of a specific cuisine), the correct concept is almost always cultural diffusion.
Biological Determinism: A common mistake is assuming that cultural traits (like language or food preferences) are biological. Remember that culture is entirely learned; a child moved at birth to a different culture will adopt that new culture perfectly.
Culture as 'Refinement': In sociology, culture does not just mean 'high culture' (like opera or classical art). Every human being is 'cultured' because everyone participates in a system of shared meanings and practices.
Static Culture: Avoid the misconception that traditional cultures do not change. All cultures are in a constant state of flux, though the rate of change may vary based on isolation or technological access.
Socialization: Culture is the 'content' that is passed on during the process of socialization. Without culture, the process of becoming a functioning member of society would have no substance.
Globalism: In the modern era, the rapid flow of information and goods has led to cultural leveling, where previously distinct cultures become more similar to one another through constant contact and diffusion.
