Notes Class 11 Chapter 5 Sociology Maharashtra Board

Culture

Introduction

• The concept of culture is complex and multifaceted, used differently in sociology and everyday life.
• Popularly defined as the “whole way of life” of a society, culture is learned and shared by its members.
• What distinguishes humans from non-humans is the possession of culture.
• The term “culture” was first used by Edward Tylor in 1871, derived from the Latin word cultura (meaning “growing” or “cultivation”).
• In everyday usage, culture often refers to refined aspects like art, music, and philosophy, but in sociology, it encompasses the entire way of life, including dressing patterns, eating habits, language, mannerisms, religious practices, and more.
• Cultures are dynamic, evolving over generations with additions, deletions, and modifications.

5.1 Culture: Definitions and Types

5.1.1 Definitions

Edward Tylor: “Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”

Oxford Dictionary: “The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.”

Bronislaw Malinowski: “Culture is the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking, our everyday intercourse, in art, literature, religion, recreation, and enjoyment.”

In sociology, culture is:

1. A way of thinking, feeling, and believing.
2. The total way of life of people.
3. Learned behavior.
4. The social legacy acquired from one’s group.
5. A mechanism for normative regulation of behavior.

5.1.2 Types of Culture

Material Culture:

• Consists of tangible, man-made objects (e.g., clothing, roads, jewelry, computers, airplanes, television, missiles).
• Enhances the quality of life and changes rapidly with new technology and lifestyles.

Non-material Culture:

• Comprises abstract, intangible ideas (e.g., norms, values, beliefs, knowledge, signs, symbols).
• Divided into:
  • Cognitive aspects: Ideas, knowledge, and beliefs (how we understand the world).
  • Normative aspects: Folkways, mores, customs, conventions, and laws (rules guiding behavior).
• Changes slowly due to deep societal roots, leading to resistance.

Cultural Lag:

• The gap between the rapid change in material culture and the slower adaptation of non-material culture.
• Example: Adoption of smartphones (material) outpaces changes in related social norms (non-material).

Activity-1: Culture varies across societies; examples include overlapping cultures (e.g., shared festivals) and exclusive cultures (e.g., tribal rituals).

Activity-2: Observe cultural changes (e.g., use of digital payments) and note instances of cultural lag (e.g., reluctance to abandon cash-based traditions).

5.2 Classification of Culture

High Culture:

• Cultural creations of high status, seen as the pinnacle of human creativity (e.g., Mozart’s music, Shakespeare’s literature, Bhimsen Joshi’s classical singing).
• Considered aesthetically superior.

Folk Culture:

• Traditional culture of ordinary people in pre-industrial societies (e.g., folk music, Bhangada in Punjab, Nautanki in Uttar Pradesh, Lavani in Maharashtra).
• Authentic and respected, passed down generations.

Mass Culture:

• Product of industrial societies, driven by mass media (e.g., TV soap operas, popular films, recorded pop music).

Popular Culture:

• Cultural products enjoyed by a wide audience without cultural expertise (e.g., Star Wars, Harry Potter, Chandoba, Chhota Bhim).

Subculture:

• Groups with shared traits distinguishing them from the mainstream (e.g., religious groups, ethnic groups, youth subcultures).

5.3 Components of Culture

Symbols:

• Objects, gestures, or images representing something else (e.g., national flags, traffic lights, emojis).
• Enable social interaction by conveying shared meanings.

Language:

• A set of words and sounds with common meanings, unique to each culture.
• Key to communication, behavior molding, and cultural transmission.
• Example: The “bird language” of Kuskoy villagers in Turkey, using whistles to communicate.

Knowledge:

• Essential for coping with social situations, either direct (immediate) or indirect (mediated).
• Evolves with each generation and is passed down.

Values and Beliefs:

• Values: Standards of what is good/bad or desirable/undesirable (e.g., honesty, respect), shaping norms.
• Beliefs: Specific statements held as true/false, forming the moral worldview.
• Learned from family, schools, and religion.

Norms:

• Rules and expectations guiding behavior.
• Proscriptive: What shouldn’t be done.
• Prescriptive: What should be done.
• Types:
  • Folkways: Mildly enforced customs (e.g., table manners).
  • Mores: Strictly enforced moral beliefs (e.g., respect for elders), critical to social order.

5.4 Characteristics of Culture

1. Acquired: Learned through socialization, not inherited biologically.
2. Abstract: Exists in minds and habits, observed through behavior patterns.
3. Shared: Common to a group, fostering unity (e.g., language, traditions).
4. Man-made: A human creation, dependent on societal interaction.
5. Idealistic: Embodies a group’s ideals and norms.
6. Transmitted: Passed across generations via language, elders, and technology.
7. Continually Changing: Evolves with time, influenced by globalization and technology (e.g., changes in English due to WhatsApp).
8. Varies from Society to Society: Unique to each society (e.g., differing customs).
9. Integrated System: Parts (e.g., values, religion) are interconnected.
10. Language-driven: Language is the primary vehicle for cultural transmission.

5.5 Importance of Culture

Individual Benefits:

1. Fundamental Benefits: Offers emotional, intellectual, and creative experiences; enhances identity and community sense.
2. Improved Learning: Develops thinking skills, self-esteem, and resilience in youth.
3. Better Health: Cultural engagement (e.g., music, theater) improves mental and physical well-being.

Social Benefits:

1. Social Solidarity: Festivals and fairs build community bonds and tolerance.
2. Economic Growth: Cultural tourism (e.g., Taj Mahal, Rajasthan) creates jobs and infrastructure.
3. Heritage Pride: Shared past promotes cohesion and belonging.

5.6 Ethnocentrism

• Defined by William Graham Sumner (1906) as the belief that one’s own culture is superior.
• Involves judging other cultures from one’s own perspective.
• Positive Side: Enhances group cohesion and pride.
• Negative Side: Leads to bias, arrogance, and missed opportunities from other cultures.
• Perspectives:
  • Conflict Theorists: Ethnocentrism denies equality.
  • Functionalists: It maintains solidarity.

5.7 Cultural Hybridization

• The blending of different cultures to create new practices (e.g., Italian pizza with tandoori paneer, Valentine’s Day celebrations).
• Accelerated by globalization, migration, and technology.
• Glocalization: Global products adapted locally (e.g., Indianized McDonald’s burgers).
• Results in diverse, exciting cultural expressions.

Activity-3: Identify hybridization examples (e.g., fusion food, mixed festivals).

Summary

• Culture is a learned, shared way of life, encompassing material (tangible) and non-material (intangible) elements.
• It includes symbols, language, knowledge, values, beliefs, and norms.
• Culture is acquired, abstract, shared, man-made, idealistic, transmitted, changing, varied, integrated, and language-driven.
• It benefits individuals (health, learning) and society (cohesion, economy).
• Ethnocentrism reflects cultural superiority, while hybridization creates new cultural forms.