Culture and Socialisation - Class 11 Sociology - Chapter 4 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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How does the understanding of culture in social science differ from the everyday use of the word 'culture'?
In everyday conversations, culture often refers to high culture, involving aspects like art, literature, and classical music, and may be seen as a marker of refinement or education. People might also use 'culture' to describe the lifestyle or customs of specific communities or nations, suggesting a more superficial understanding that doesn't delve deeply into the underlying systems of meaning.
In contrast, social science takes a more comprehensive view, seeing culture as the entire set of social norms, values, beliefs, and practices that govern the behavior of people within a community or society. Here, culture includes everything from language, rituals, customs, and art to the ways in which people work, celebrate, and interact. Sociologists and anthropologists view culture as an integral framework guiding individual actions and societal operations, deeply embedded in the everyday lives of individuals and groups, influencing their perceptions, judgments, and interactions across all dimensions of life.
Not just an attribute of the elite or artistically inclined, culture in social sciences is understood as a dynamic, pervasive force that shapes identities, social systems, and power structures within any given collective. This understanding is crucial in analyzing how cultures adapt or resist changes over time, and how they interact with each other in a globalized world. Thus, culture, from a sociological perspective, is more about how societies operate and the meanings they produce rather than just expressions of human creativity or social refinement.
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Comprehensive Class 11 Notes: Understanding Culture and Socialisation
Introduction
In the study of sociology, understanding culture and socialisation is essential. These concepts are crucial for comprehending how individuals interact within societies and how societies themselves evolve. This article delves into the varied aspects of culture and socialisation, providing detailed notes for Class 11 students.
What is Culture?
Sociological Definitions
Culture is a complex concept with various interpretations. Several sociologists have provided definitions that help us understand this multifaceted term:
- Edward Tylor: Described culture as "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."
- Bronislaw Malinowski: Defined culture as comprising "inherited artifacts, goods, technical processes, ideas, habits and values."
- Clifford Geertz: Suggested viewing human actions as conveying a message, describing culture as webs of significance spun by humans.
These definitions highlight different facets of culture, from material artifacts to intangible beliefs.
Dimensions of Culture
Culture is generally divided into three dimensions:
- Cognitive Aspects: How we process and understand information, like recognising the sound of a phone.
- Normative Aspects: Rules of conduct or social norms, such as not opening other people's letters.
- Material Aspects: Physical tools, technologies, and artifacts, like smartphones and cars.
Socialisation and Its Impact
Socialisation refers to the process through which individuals learn and internalise the norms and values of their society. It occurs in two main stages:
Primary vs. Secondary Socialisation
- Primary Socialisation: Occurs within the family during childhood. It includes basic learning about norms and values.
- Secondary Socialisation: Happens later in life through institutions like schools and workplaces.
Agents of Socialisation
Several agents influence socialisation:
- Family: The primary agent where the earliest social learning occurs.
- Peer Groups: Friendship groups that help in learning social roles and behaviours.
- Schools: Formal organisations that provide both academic learning and social norms.
- Mass Media: Provides a broad range of information and influences behaviours and attitudes.
- Other Social Contexts: Workplace and community settings also play a role.
Natural Settings and Cultural Practices
Influence of Geography
Natural settings like mountains, plains, islands, and deserts significantly influence cultural practices. These settings impact food habits, dwelling patterns, clothing, and worship practices.
Case Study: 2004 Tsunami
In the 2004 tsunami, the traditional knowledge of tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands allowed them to foresee the calamity and save themselves, showcasing the value of indigenous cultural practices compared to modern technologies.
Cultural Change
Cultural change refers to the transformation of cultural patterns over time. This can be driven by:
Internal Causes
- Technological advancements
- Agricultural innovations
External Causes
- Conquest and colonisation
- Globalisation
Changes can be evolutionary or revolutionary, impacting both material and non-material dimensions of culture.
Ethnocentrism vs. Cosmopolitanism
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures based on one's own cultural standards. It often leads to the belief that one's own culture is superior.
Cosmopolitanism
Cosmopolitanism, on the other hand, celebrates cultural differences and encourages understanding and exchange between cultures. It promotes a global perspective, valuing diversity.
Culture and Identity
Identities within cultures are formed through social roles and group memberships. These identities are not inherited but are developed through interactions with others.
Role of Subcultures
Subcultures form within a larger culture, distinguished by their unique styles, tastes, and associations. They provide a sense of identity and belonging to their members.
Gender and Socialisation
Gender significantly impacts socialisation. Roles and behaviours are often assigned based on gender, influencing how individuals interact and perceive themselves in society.
Case Study Examples
Reflecting on how boys and girls use public spaces differently, or the rituals surrounding hairdressing, highlights the gendered nature of socialisation.
Conclusion
Understanding culture and socialisation is fundamental to grasping how societies function and evolve. These concepts are interlinked, continually shaping and reshaping individual and collective identities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the definition of culture? Culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities acquired by individuals as members of society.
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How does socialisation impact an individual's development? Socialisation helps individuals learn and internalise societal norms and values, influencing their behaviour and identity.
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What are the different aspects of culture that sociologists study? Sociologists study cognitive, normative, and material aspects of culture.
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How do natural settings influence cultural practices? Natural settings impact food habits, dwelling patterns, clothing, and worship practices, shaping diverse cultural practices.
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How do greetings vary across cultures? Greetings can vary based on social status, age, gender, and cultural background.
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What role does primary and secondary socialisation play in an individual's life? Primary socialisation occurs in early childhood within the family, while secondary socialisation happens through schools, peer groups, and other institutions.
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How did tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands cope with the 2004 tsunami differently from modern communities? Tribes used their traditional knowledge to foresee the tsunami and move to higher ground, while modern communities suffered more due to a lack of such experiential knowledge.
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What are the various dimensions of culture? The dimensions of culture include cognitive, normative, and material aspects.
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How do cognitive aspects influence cultural understanding? Cognitive aspects involve how we process and understand information, crucial for making sense of cultural symbols and norms.
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What are normative aspects of culture? Normative aspects refer to societal rules and norms that guide behaviour.
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What is the role of material culture in society? Material culture includes physical objects and technologies that influence and facilitate societal functions.
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How do identities within a culture form? Identities form through social roles, group memberships, and interactions with others.
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What is ethnocentrism and how does it contrast with cosmopolitanism? Ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures based on one's own standards, while cosmopolitanism values and celebrates cultural diversity.
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How does cultural change occur? Cultural change occurs through internal innovations and external influences like colonisation and globalisation.
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What are the main agencies of socialisation? Family, peer groups, schools, mass media, and workplaces are major socialising agents.
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How does family act as an agent of socialisation? Family provides early social learning and influences behavioural norms and values.
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What role do peer groups play in socialisation? Peer groups help individuals learn social roles and test behavioural norms.
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How does schooling influence socialisation? Schools teach academic knowledge and social norms through formal and hidden curricula.
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What is the impact of mass media on socialisation? Mass media provides information and exposure to diverse experiences, influencing behaviours and attitudes.
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How does gender affect the process of socialisation? Gender roles and expectations significantly shape social interactions and personal identities.
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