Deck 4: Culture

Question 1

The American values of freedom and individualism are influenced and enhanced by forms of material culture that allow people to live in individualistic ways.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Use cell phone usage as a way to explain what norms are. Provide an explanation of three different categories of norms, along with examples of how these categories apply to cell phone usage.

Answer 2

Varies, but should include a discussion of norms in at least three of the following: informal norms, folkways, laws, sanctions, mores. In describing around cell phones, it should provide an example of the three selected.

Question 3

An example of U.S. ideal culture is the belief that mothers should be completely devoted to their children.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

An example of a violation a folkway would be stealing, and jail would be considered a severe formal sanction.

Question 5

Not every group and society has culture.

Question 6

Which of these are signs that we are entering a postconsumer culture?

A) Fewer reality television shows focused on consumption
B) People have increased the amount of money they are saving
C) The housing market has rebounded to stronger than it was before the recession
D) People are participating more in the "sharing economy"

Question 7

Cultural rules adapt to external factors; we are still working out the cultural rules for cell phone use.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of culture, based on George Ritzer's text?

A) There are differences within cultures and between cultures
B) It is easy to understand other cultures because all cultures share the same symbols
C) Culture is most affected by changes that are external to the group
D) Culture is affected by changes are that internal to the group

Question 9

What is the relationship between language and culture?

A) Language allows for the storage of culture.
B) Language allows cultures to develop.
C) Most oral traditions fail to accumulate a distinct culture.
D) Language reflects specific cultural viewpoints.

Question 10

Examples of material culture include language, values, and norms.

Question 11

Given incidences of tension and violence between immigrants and citizens in Europe and the United States, some people have declared multiculturalism a failure.

Question 12

European cultures are far more multicultural now than they were several decades ago.

Question 13

Laws are the broadest element of culture.

Question 14

When you pit a countercultural group against the dominant cultural group on an issue where they will never agree, it creates conditions for a culture war.

Question 15

An example of a violation of a folkway would be wearing one's clothes inside out.

Question 16

According to the text, material culture has symbolic aspects and symbolic culture manifest in material objects. Briefly explain what is included in material culture and what is included in symbolic culture. Then provide one example of a cultural object, and explain this object in terms of both material and symbolic culture.

Question 17

BMW is a brand of automobile that is associated with speed and luxury, while Volvo is associated with a great safety record. This illustrates which points about culture?

A) Material, cultural objects derive meaning from the way they are categorized relative to other objects in the same category.
B) Material culture and symbolic culture are distinct and separate.
C) There is no clear line between material and nonmaterial culture.
D) Material culture is highly individualized.

Question 18

The most effective form of language, in terms of culture development, is the oral form rather than the written form.

Question 19

We generally accept the components of culture, but sometimes we simply refuse to follow them.

Question 20

Ethnocentrism refers to understanding a culture from the eyes of the people who live in that culture.

Question 21

Consumer culture entails conspicuous consumption, where the person's goal is to display his or her wealth through the material objects they own.

Question 22

Americanization is a type of cultural imperialism.

Question 23

A formal norm can also be classified as a:

A) folkway
B) law
C) value
D) idea

Question 24

"Joe Chemo" was used to show a version of Joe Camel that was dying from cigarette smoking. This is an example of cultural imperialism.

Question 25

Many U.S. millennials live at home longer than young adults have in past generations, which is partially due to the economic recession. The recession is an example of a(n) _______ change affecting U.S. culture.

A) external
B) internal
C) bilateral
D) folkway

Question 26

As people become more enmeshed in the Internet, they find a way to escape from consumer culture.

Question 27

The popularity of American movies has negatively affected the film industries of many other countries, an example of Americanization.

Question 28

Cultural relativism refers to the spreading of cultural characteristics from one culture to another.

Question 29

Culture relativism refers to the fact that components of symbolic culture tend to lag behind the components of material culture.

Question 30

Examples of subcultures would be the LGBT community, hip-hop fans, and cartoonists.

Question 31

Pervasive marketing to children in the United States is common but controversial.

Question 32

Cultural imperialism tends to destroy local culture.

Question 33

In the United States, consumer culture replaced work as the core driver of culture.

Question 34

Universities have critiqued the "canon" because the texts reflect only the interests of white males. There has been a push to include broader representation. This is an example of identity politics.

Question 35

___________ allow(s) a group of people or a society to carry out their collective lives in relative order and harmony.

A) Culture
B) Social norms
C) Technology
D) Evolution

Question 36

Today, retirement has changed considerably. The baby boomer generation is large, and people live to older ages than the generations before them. Retirement has changed because of _______ changes to U.S. culture.

A) internal
B) external
C) absolute
D) proportional

Question 37

Joe, a second grader, calls out the answer to a math problem without raising his hand first. He has violated a __________________.

A) taboo
B) more
C) folkway
D) law

Question 38

Joan, a college student, receives an F in her chemistry class because she performed poorly on her exams and missed class on a regular basis. Her grade is an example of a(n) ___________________.

A) informal sanction
B) negative folkway
C) reinforcement norm
D) negative sanction

Question 39

Freedom of expression, democracy, and family are examples of _________________ in U.S. culture.

A) sanctions
B) values
C) mores
D) folkways

Question 40

Jim is a journalist who receives a raise because of his outstanding news stories in the past year. Jim's raise is an example of a(n) ________________________.

A) negative sanction
B) positive sanction
C) economic sanction
D) workplace norm

Question 41

Body builders, cab drivers, chemists, and musicians would all be considered ___________________ because they each share a distinct way of looking at the world.

A) countercultures
B) subcultures
C) cults
D) ideologies

Question 42

The United States recently legalized gay marriage. Many people celebrated, but others oppose the law and refuse to sell goods or services to gay couples because they believe that marriage should only occur between men and women. The struggle between these two groups is an example of a(n) _________________________.

A) counterculture crusade
B) culture war
C) multicultural mismatch
D) ideology

Question 43

John sprawls out in his middle airplane seat, hogging the armrests on either side as others board the flight in an effort to keep the seat to himself. He is violating which type of norm?

A) More
B) Folkway
C) Taboo
D) Law

Question 44

The United States values equality, which represents __________________, yet racism, sexism, and ageism are still prevalent, which represents _________________.

A) real culture; ideal culture
B) symbolic culture; negative culture
C) material culture; real culture
D) ideal culture; real culture

Question 45

Sweden is a country which has outlawed spanking. Many Americans do not understand why this law was passed because many Americans believe that spanking on occasion is an acceptable form of punishment. This is an example of:

A) cultural relativism
B) cultural confusion
C) cultural diffusion
D) ethnocentrism

Question 46

American culture is based on a democratic government, which adheres to the belief that power is in the hands of the people. Americans believe in this ________________ and vote because they want to exert their right to do so.

A) folkway
B) ideology
C) symbolic culture
D) contradiction

Question 47

Cults sometimes engage in practices, such as suicide or polygamy, which would be considered in direct opposition to U.S. cultural values. Therefore, cults would be considered a __________________________.

A) subculture
B) reference group
C) counterculture
D) material culture

Question 48

Aspects of culture that exist in intangible forms, such as norms and values, are called:

A) Material culture
B) Informal culture
C) Real culture
D) Symbolic culture

Question 49

Bullfighting is seen as a barbaric sport to many Americans, but Mexicans are more likely to see it as part of their history and hold it in high regard. Understanding this sport from the viewpoint of Mexicans instead of the viewpoint of Americans would be an example of practicing ______________________________.

A) cultural diffusion
B) ethnocentrism
C) cultural relativism
D) cultural displacement

Question 50

Sue uses her laptop to look at Facebook during lecture instead of paying attention to class. She has violated a ______________.

A) folkway
B) law
C) taboo
D) more

Question 51

The Shamrock, Claddagh rings, and certain types of clothing are all part of the _________________________, which originated in Ireland.

A) substantial culture
B) linguistic culture
C) secular culture
D) material culture

Question 52

Avery uses her smartphone to cheat on a final exam. She is violating which type of norm?

A) More
B) Folkway
C) Taboo
D) Sanction

Question 53

When cultural differences are accepted and appreciated by both the state and the majority group, it is called __________________.

A) amalgamation
B) segregation
C) multiculturalism
D) assimilation

Question 54

Many corporations strive to treat their employees as equal, regardless of gender and race, which is an example of ______________ culture. However, many studies state that more women than men are victims of sexual harassment, which is a reflection of _________________ culture.

A) ideal; real
B) symbolic; material
C) symbolic; counter
D) ideal; material

Question 55

In recent years, some minority groups have become impatient with the dominant culture and have begun to assert their right not to assimilate. This is an example of _______________________________.

A) cultural diffusion
B) subculture wars
C) multiculturalism
D) identity politics

Question 56

The tangible forms of culture are also referred to as ________________________.

A) cargo culture
B) consumerism
C) material culture
D) literate culture

Question 57

______________________ refers to understanding why cultural practices take place in certain societies.

A) Cultural lag
B) Cultural diffusion
C) Cultural relativism
D) Ethnocentrism

Question 58

Elementary school students learn about different cultural practices and are learning about the traditions of various societies around the world. This reflects the concept of:

A) neocolonialism
B) nationalism
C) multiculturalism
D) colonialism

Question 59

An example of a __________________ in the United States are computer hackers, whose members engage in actions that subvert authority, disrupt the Internet, and steal personal data in opposition to values and norms of dominant culture.

A) subculture
B) counterculture
C) low culture
D) ideal culture

Question 60

Many immigrants from Asian countries come to the United States hoping for better educational and employment opportunities. Many of these immigrants already speak English, which has helped them _______________________ into U.S. society.

A) amalgamate
B) segregate
C) assimilate
D) enculturate

Question 61

In India, there was a long tradition of professional letter writers, but they have become largely obsolete with the entry of the cell phone and other elements of Western culture. This is an example of:

A) culture jamming
B) cultural imperialism
C) cultural relativism
D) cultural diffusion

Question 62

The National Organization for Women, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Hispanic American Organization are all examples of groups who are working for the rights of minorities. Therefore, they are engaged in:

A) ethnocentrism
B) identity politics
C) counterculturalism
D) Americanization

Question 63

Every year, Americans spend billions on Christmas presents. Walmart, Target, and Kohl's are found in almost every state within the United States. This reflects the fact that the United States is a(n) ____________________________.

A) bureaucracy
B) consumer culture
C) manufactured society
D) ideal culture

Question 64

What is the main difference between subcultures and countercultures? Give one example of a subculture and one example of a counterculture to illustrate this difference.

Question 65

Advertisements for products can now be found in newspaper circulars, Internet ads, and television commercials. This is a reflection of how the United States is a __________________________.

A) bureaucracy
B) consumer culture
C) mass culture
D) elite society

Question 66

Select a brand that has spread globally, such as Starbucks, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, or another similar company. Define cultural imperialism and Americanization, and use your chosen brand to discuss these processes. What are some ways that local cultures push back against the globalization of American brands?

Question 67

Instead of lavish shows of wealth, some circles of upper class culture may still wear inexpensive clothes or drive an economy car. This is referred to as:

A) anti-Americanization
B) inconspicuous consumption
C) culture jamming
D) postconsumer culture

Question 68

Multiculturalism has received attention in recent years. Use this question to discuss cultural diversity and assimilation in the United States and Europe. Why do some people say that multiculturalism is failing? How is Americanization different than multiculturalism?

Question 69

Today, millions of people have joined Internet sites such as Facebook. These sites have norms and specific rules are enforced. Sites such as Facebook are examples of:

A) consumer culture
B) cyberculture
C) cultural imperialism
D) postconsumer culture

Question 70

Some Iraqis have been resistant to a democratic government, which was imposed on them by the United States. Therefore, some Iraqis see this imposition as a form of:

A) culture war
B) cultural imperialism
C) cultural relativism
D) global culture

Question 71

Avid users of Apple products who identify with a community of other Mac users is an example of a(n):

A) counterculture
B) subculture
C) global culture
D) imperial culture

Question 72

In a recent study of school children in China, many of them had images of Mickey Mouse either on their backpacks or on their lunchboxes. This reflects the process of _____________________________.

A) bureaucratization
B) Americanization
C) rationalization
D) counterculturalism

Question 73

Recently, Democrats and Republicans have battled over balancing the budget and health care reform, with each side believing that their agenda is the best. This struggle between the two political parties is an example of:

A) cultural relativism
B) identity politics
C) culture war
D) subculture war

Question 74

What are the building blocks of consumer culture? What are some other ways in which culture has been organized? Why is marketing to children considered controversial, and why does the author suggest we might be in a postconsumer culture?

Question 75

The most controversial aspect of consumer culture according to Dr. Ritzer is:

A) the escalation of culture wars
B) the expansion of multiculturalism
C) the increase in Americanization
D) the direct marketing of consumer items to children

Question 76

John believes that democracy is the best form of government in the world and believes that every country should follow suit and create a democratic system. Based on this, John could be described as _________________________.

A) ethnocentric
B) multicultural
C) pessimistic
D) a cultural relativist

Question 77

Discuss two elements of a cyberculture. Name two values and two norms that are followed within a cyberculture. What gave rise to the particular norms and values?

Question 78

Organized groups that actively seek to subvert aspects of consumer culture are engaging in:

A) culture relativism
B) culture lag
C) culture diffusion
D) culture jamming

Question 79

What is culture jamming? Provide one example of culture jamming. What message did the example "jam"? More generally, what do those involved in this practice hope to accomplish?