CU - Culture in Society Lesson

 

Culture in  Society Lesson

Once a sociologist has identified those elements that form a society's culture, he or she must understand and explain the culture in a way that will help us better understand ourselves.  How sociologists interpret the culture varies according to their theoretical perspective.  Each of the three major theoretical approaches has a different "perspective" on culture in society.

Culture According to Theoretical Perspectives

The Sociobiological approach is a fourth perspective to consider for culture. Based on the theory of evolution as proffered by Charles Darwin, it is an approach that has lost favor over the years due to its historical corruption when used as the basis for sterilization or eugenics movements during the first half of the Twentieth Century.  However, this approach is incorporated by a minority of sociologists as they straddle the academic divide between sociology and biology.  This style of sociology attempts to expose the biological basis behind culture and patterns of behavior. Essentially, it is the familiar "nature versus nurture" debate.

Culture and Patterns of Behavior Activity

Click each > in the activity below to learn more about culture and patterns of behavior.

We can apply these four perspectives to any aspect of culture; but to keep things simple, let's just use one characteristic to illustrate the different views each would take to explain a cultural universal- a mother's protectiveness over her child.

Elements of Society's Culture Links to an external site.

Despite whichever particular perspective a sociologist uses, though, he or she should always approach the study using cultural relativism. This means the sociologist judges or interprets a culture based on its own standards rather than those of the sociologist's personal culture (ethnocentrism). This can be a difficult exercise to put into practice, but it is crucial if the sociologist is to maintain his or her scientific objectivity. As we know from our module on research, this is crucial to achieving credibility in sociological research and findings.

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Watch the Video on Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism.

 

 

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