Sociology week 1
A subculture is a group that shares many of the same values and beliefs as the larger culture but
also keeps certain unique values, beliefs, and norms that make it distinct. For example, the
Amish are a subculture in the U.S. because they avoid electricity, cars, and other modern
technology. The Mennonites, who are closely related, use cars and electricity but keep traditions
that set them apart from mainstream culture.
Subcultures and countercultures are both groups that are different from the main culture.
Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism often clash, because it can be hard to know when to
respect a culture’s differences and when to say a practice is wrong.
Cultural relativism means not judging one culture as better or worse than another, while
ethnocentrism is judging another culture by our own standards and thinking ours is better. An
example is cow worship in India, which some people mock, but anthropologist Marvin Harris
showed it is important to their way of life.
A subculture is a group that shares many of the same values and beliefs as the larger culture but
also keeps certain unique values, beliefs, and norms that make it distinct. For example, the
Amish are a subculture in the U.S. because they avoid electricity, cars, and other modern
technology. The Mennonites, who are closely related, use cars and electricity but keep traditions
that set them apart from mainstream culture.
Subcultures and countercultures are both groups that are different from the main culture.
Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism often clash, because it can be hard to know when to
respect a culture’s differences and when to say a practice is wrong.
Cultural relativism means not judging one culture as better or worse than another, while
ethnocentrism is judging another culture by our own standards and thinking ours is better. An
example is cow worship in India, which some people mock, but anthropologist Marvin Harris
showed it is important to their way of life.
