Question 1

Q1: How does the understanding of culture in social science differ from the everyday use of the word 'culture'?

Accepted Answer

The understanding of culture in social science differs significantly from its everyday use. In common conversation, 'culture' is often used in a limited sense to refer to refined tastes in arts like classical music, dance, or painting. It can also allude to the specific way of life of certain elite...

Question 2

Q2: How can we demonstrate that the different dimensions of culture comprise a whole?

Accepted Answer

The different dimensions of culture—cognitive, normative, and material—are deeply interconnected and comprise a whole. We can demonstrate this by showing how they rely on each other for meaning and function. 1.  Cognitive Dimension: This refers to how we learn to process information and give it mean...

Question 3

Q3: Compare two cultures with which you are familiar. Is it difficult not to be ethnocentric?

Accepted Answer

Comparing two cultures, such as the urban culture of a metropolitan city in India and the culture of a traditional village, reveals significant differences in their normative, cognitive, and material aspects.     Social Interaction (Normative): In a village, greeting elders often involves specific g...

Question 4

Q4: Discuss two different approaches to studying cultural change.

Accepted Answer

The chapter outlines different ways to understand cultural change. Two key approaches are based on the source of the change and the pace of the change. 1.  Change based on Internal vs. External Impetus:        Internal Causes: Cultural change can be driven by factors from within a society. This is o...

Question 5

Q5: Is cosmopolitanism something you associate with modernity? Observe and give examples of ethnocentrism.

Accepted Answer

Yes, cosmopolitanism is strongly associated with modernity. A cosmopolitan outlook values other cultures for their differences and does not judge them by the standards of one's own culture. It promotes cultural exchange and borrowing to enrich one's own culture. This is a key feature of modern, glob...

Question 6

Q6: What in your mind is the most effective agent of socialisation for your generation? How do you think it was different before?

Accepted Answer

For my generation, the mass media, particularly the electronic and digital media (television, internet, social media), is arguably the most effective agent of socialisation. While family, school, and peer groups remain important, the media's influence is pervasive and constant. It shapes opinions, t...

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