Culture & Socialisation Class 11 Sociology

Introduction

Sociologists and anthropologists seek to understand the social context in which culture is embedded by analyzing its various components and relationships. What sets humans apart from other animals is their capacity to establish a shared understanding and derive common meanings from symbols and signs. The process of primary socialization takes place within the home, while secondary socialization occurs within institutions such as schools.

Diverse Settings, Different Cultures

• Humans inhabit various natural environments, such as mountains, plains, forests, deserts, river valleys, islands, and mainland areas.
• The Jarawas, Great Andamanese, and Shompens, who did not have access to modern science and technology, were able to anticipate a disaster and protect themselves by relocating to higher ground.
• This illustrates that the possession of contemporary science and technology does not necessarily make modern cultures superior to indigenous island cultures.
• Consequently, cultures should not be ranked but evaluated based on their ability to cope with natural challenges, as some may be more or less effective.

Defining Culture

• The term "culture" has been historically used to describe a cultivated taste for high art forms such as classical music, dance, and painting.
• Culture was seen as separating those with refined tastes from the "uncultured" masses.
• From a sociological perspective, culture is viewed as a way of life that involves all members of society.
• Culture is not something that divides people based on their taste.

An early definition of culture in anthropology was provided by British scholar Edward Taylor.

Edward Taylor, a British scholar and anthropologist, defined culture as a comprehensive entity that encompasses various aspects of human life, including knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs, and any other abilities and practices acquired by individuals as members of a society.

Dimensions of Culture

Culture can be understood in three main ways: how we make sense of things (cognitive), the rules we follow (normative), and the activities we engage in using materials (material).

• Cognitive Dimension: This is about how we understand and make sense of what we see or hear, like recognizing the sound of our phone or understanding a cartoon of a politician.
• Normative Dimension: This refers to the rules we follow in our behavior, such as not opening others' letters or participating in specific rituals during times of loss.
• Material Dimension: This involves the activities we do using materials, tools, or machines. For example, using the internet to chat or creating floor designs using rice-flour paste.

Interconnection of Dimensions:

Our understanding of material culture, especially art, is incomplete without considering the cognitive and normative aspects. Social development draws from all these dimensions, and in some communities, practices may differ based on literacy levels.

Importance of Individual Focus:

Examining each dimension separately can provide valuable insights into how culture shapes our behaviors, beliefs, and interactions. Culture refers to the beliefs, behaviors, and customs shared by a group of people. When we talk about the cognitive aspects of culture, we are delving into how people understand and interpret the world around them. This includes how information is processed and made sense of.

Cognitive Aspects of Culture:

• Recognizing Cognitive Aspects: Understanding the cognitive aspects of one's own culture can be more challenging compared to recognizing its tangible or visible material aspects.
• What is Cognition: Cognition refers to how we make sense of the information we receive from our surroundings.
• Differences in Literate and Non-Literate Societies: In literate societies, ideas are written down in books and documents, preserved in libraries, while in non-literate societies, knowledge is passed down orally through legends and lore.
• Oral Tradition Specialists: In non-literate societies, there are specialized individuals who are trained to memorize and narrate stories during specific occasions.
• Impact of Writing on Art: Writing can influence how art is both created and consumed. Oral traditions tend to involve repetition for easier memorization, while written texts can be more elaborate.
• Societal Literacy: Historically, literacy has been accessible mainly to the privileged. Efforts are made to make literacy relevant to all, even to those who have not had formal education.
• Electronic Media and Cognitive Culture: The rise of electronic media, with its various channels and instant access, raises questions about how these new forms impact our attention span and cognitive processes.

It's essential to consider how different forms of communication and knowledge transmission shape our understanding of the world and our interactions within it. From the oral traditions of non-literate societies to the impact of electronic media on our cognitive abilities, each aspect plays a role in shaping our cultural landscape.

Normative Aspects of Culture 

Culture consists of norms, which are like guidelines for how people should behave in different situations. These norms can be implicit or explicit, guiding our actions in social settings. Norms are reinforced by sanctions that encourage conformity. An important distinction is that while norms are understood rules, laws are clearly defined rules set by the government that everyone must follow.

Norms and Laws:

• Norms: These are unwritten rules that dictate how we should act in society. For instance, if you receive a gift, it's usually expected that you don't immediately give something in return, as it might seem insincere.
  Example: Imagine in your family, kids are not allowed outside after dark. This is a norm specific to your household but might not apply to all families.
• Laws: These are official rules established by the government that apply to everyone. For example, stealing is universally illegal, and if caught, you could face punishment like going to jail.
  Example: On the other hand, stealing someone else's property is against the law everywhere, and breaking this law can lead to serious consequences.

Importance of Laws:

• Laws are crucial because they are the formal rules that maintain order in society. They are enforced uniformly across the entire population, unlike norms, which can vary based on different factors like social status.

Societal Impact:

• Laws, being the most formal form of regulations, are essential for ensuring that everyone abides by the same standards of behavior. In contrast, norms can sometimes be discriminatory, favoring certain groups over others.

Material Aspect of Culture:

Culture consists of material and non-material aspects. The material aspect of culture involves tools, technologies, buildings, and modes of transportation that people use in their daily lives. It plays a significant role in enhancing production and improving the quality of life.

• Material Aspect of Culture: This part of culture includes tools, technologies, machines, buildings, modes of transportation, and communication instruments that people use. For example, mobile phones, music systems, cars, buses, ATMs, refrigerators, and computers are common in urban settings. In rural areas, tools like transistor radios and electric motor pumps for irrigation also fall under this category.
  Examples: Mobile phones, computers, cars, refrigerators, and ATMs are examples of material aspects of culture that enhance daily life and productivity.
• Importance of Material Aspect: The material aspect is crucial for increasing production and improving living standards. It complements the non-material aspects of culture, such as beliefs and values, to ensure a balanced cultural development.
• Relationship between Material and Non-Material Aspects: Both dimensions of culture, material, and non-material, need to work together for a culture to function effectively. Changes in technology can sometimes outpace changes in values and norms, leading to a phenomenon known as culture lag.
  Examples: Beliefs, values, traditions, and social norms represent the non-material aspects of culture that guide behaviors and perceptions within a society.
• Culture Lag: Culture lag occurs when advancements in technology outstrip changes in societal values and norms. This disconnection can create social challenges and hinder the adaptation of non-material aspects to technological progress.
  Example: In a society where traditional values clash with rapid technological advancements, such as the acceptance of AI in the workforce, culture lag may be observed as societal norms struggle to keep up with technological changes.

Culture and Identity 

Culture and identity are shaped not just by individual choices but also by group dynamics and interactions with others. Our roles in society, such as being a parent or a child, contribute significantly to our sense of self. It's not just about playing these roles; it's also crucial that they are acknowledged and respected. This recognition often comes through the language and codes specific to each group.

• Identities are not inherited but are crafted through personal choices and interactions with others.
• In modern society, individuals take on various roles, like being a parent or a child in a family, each with specific responsibilities and powers.
• Merely acting out roles is not enough; these roles need to be acknowledged and respected by others.
• Groups, such as students in schools or women in specific settings, create their own language and codes to establish their unique meanings and spaces.
• Cultures consist of diverse subcultures, like those of elite and working-class youth, distinguished by their styles, preferences, and interactions.

Sub-cultures

• Subcultural groups, defined by their speech, dress codes, and shared interests, work together towards common goals, fostering a sense of identity among members.
• These groups may have leaders and followers but are united by their group objectives, like a neighborhood club engaging in sports and community activities.
• By participating in such activities, group members not only enhance their self-image but also strengthen their bond with the community, forming a distinct group identity.
• Through acceptance and acknowledgment within their neighborhood, these groups differentiate themselves from others, solidifying their unique identity.

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Ethnocentricism

• Ethnocentrism is the act of using one's own cultural standards to judge the behavior and beliefs of people from other cultures. It implies that the cultural values presented as the norm or standard are deemed superior to the ideas and values of other cultures.
• In contrast, modern society cherishes cultural diversity and welcomes cultural exchanges and adaptations to enrich its own culture. Cosmopolitanism is a philosophy that embraces differences among civilizations. Although foreign influences are incorporated, they are typically merged with local cultural features.
• For example, despite incorporating foreign elements, the English language does not become a separate language, nor does Hindi cinema music lose its distinct identity due to influences from other cultures.

Cultural Change

• Cultural change refers to the process in which a culture modifies its cultural practices, arising from both internal and external factors.
• Adoption of innovative agricultural technologies can lead to increased food production and affect the lifestyle and eating habits of people in an agrarian society.
• External factors like colonization or conquest can bring about significant changes to a society's cultural beliefs and practices.
• Environmental changes, exposure to other cultures, and adaptation mechanisms can instigate cultural change.
• Forest communities facing restrictions on accessing natural resources due to legislation or deforestation can experience severe consequences on their way of life.

Socialisation

• At birth, a human child has no understanding of society or social behavior. As they grow older, they begin to learn about things beyond the physical world.
• Socialization has a significant impact on individuals, but it is not equivalent to "culture programming" where a child passively absorbs their surroundings. Even a newborn has the ability to exert their will, crying when hungry and continuing until their caregivers respond.
• The family a child is born into may be nuclear or extended, and is part of a broader community such as a tribe, subcaste, clan, or biradri, religious or linguistic group. Membership in these organizations enforces specific beliefs and behavioral norms on each member, with corresponding duties such as being a son, daughter, grandchild, or student.
• A child is socialized through various agencies and institutions they participate in, including family, school, peer groups, neighborhood, occupational groups, socioeconomic class/caste, region, and religion.

Individual liberty and socialisation

• While it may be evident that socialisation under typical circumstances will not completely eradicate individuals' autonomy, numerous factors may contribute to conflict.
• Tensions can emerge between socialising entities such as school and home, as well as between home and peer groups.
• However, since the cultural milieu in which we are born and mature has such a profound influence on our actions, it might seem as if we are bereft of any individuality or free will.
• Undeniably, the connections we form with others from birth to death shape our personalities, values, and actions.

Agencies of Socialisation 

When we talk about how a child learns to behave in society, we mean they are taught by different groups and places they interact with. These could be family, school, friends, where they live, the job they might have one day, and even the type of family they are in or where they are from.

The main agencies include:

Family 

Family structures can be different from one another, and this can impact how babies grow and learn in various cultures. Some people live in a nuclear family with parents and siblings, while others live with extended family like grandparents or cousins. Depending on the family setup, different members can play important roles in shaping a child's behavior and beliefs.

• Family Diversity: Families can be different in how they are set up, affecting how children learn and develop.
• Social Position: In many traditional societies, the family you are born into can determine your social status for life. Where and to whom you are born can strongly influence how you are raised and the opportunities you have.
• Socialization Influence: Children often adopt behaviors and beliefs from their parents, neighbors, or community members. However, in today's world where change is constant, children are exposed to various influences beyond just their family.
• Differences in Outlook: Because children are influenced by multiple sources like family, peers, media, and school, they may sometimes learn conflicting ideas. For example, a child might learn one set of values at home but encounter different ideas at school or through friends.

One example of how family teachings may differ from other influences is when a child learns a particular value at home but encounters a different perspective at school or from friends. This can lead to a conflict in beliefs or behaviors, causing the child to navigate through these differences as they grow up.

Peer Groups 

Peer groups refer to friendship circles of children around the same age. In some societies, these groups are structured by age, while in others, children naturally gravitate towards peers of similar ages. The term "peer" signifies equality, showcasing that friendships among young children typically involve a fair and equal dynamic. While stronger children may try to assert dominance, peer relationships generally involve more sharing and reciprocity compared to familial relationships.

• Definition of Peer Groups: Peer groups consist of children of similar ages who form friendships and socialize together.
• Importance of Peer Groups: Peer groups provide a different social environment compared to the family, allowing children to explore social interactions and test behavioral boundaries.
• Equality in Peer Relationships: Peers are considered equals, fostering relationships based on shared experiences and mutual understanding.
• Role of Parents vs. Peers: While parents enforce rules and codes of conduct, peer groups offer a space for more independent exploration of behavior and social norms.
• Long-Term Impact: Peer relationships established in childhood often continue to be significant throughout an individual's life, influencing attitudes and behaviors in various settings.
• Examples of Peer Groups: Informal peer groups, such as those found in workplaces or other social contexts, play a lasting role in shaping individuals' perspectives and actions.

Schools 

Schools play an essential role in educating students, teaching not only academic subjects. Schools also impart subtle lessons that shape how students view the world. Students learn about their roles within the world through this hidden curriculum.

• Schools as Formal Organizations: Schools are structured institutions where students learn specific subjects in a set curriculum.
• Hidden Curriculum: Apart from formal education, schools also teach implicit lessons that influence students' behaviors and perceptions.
• Gender Roles in Schools: In some schools, gender stereotypes are reinforced through tasks assigned to students based on their gender. For example:
  • Girls may be expected to perform cleaning duties like sweeping classrooms, while boys are not given similar responsibilities.
  • Efforts may be made to challenge these stereotypes by assigning tasks based on abilities rather than gender.
• Examples of Gender Stereotyping: Instances where gender roles are reinforced or challenged in schools:
  • Girls encouraged to pursue subjects like home economics while boys are steered towards technical courses.
  • Boys discouraged from participating in activities like dance or art, traditionally seen as feminine pursuits.

Mass Media

Mass media plays a crucial role in our daily lives. Both electronic and print media are significant sources of information and entertainment. Let's break down the key points and elaborate on the information provided. Format the above text in a clean manner that is perfectly usable.

• Print Media in 19th Century India:

  In the early days of print media in 19th century India, there were popular publications called 'conduct-books' that aimed to educate women on how to manage their households better and be more attentive wives. These books were available in various languages.

• Democratization of Information:

  One of the significant advantages of media is that it can make access to information more democratic. For instance, electronic communication can reach even remote villages without proper road connectivity or literacy centers.

• Television's Influence:

  Research has been conducted to study the impact of television on both children and adults. For example, a study in Britain revealed that children spend a considerable amount of time watching television, equivalent to almost a hundred school days a year.

• Debate on Media Influence:

  The relationship between on-screen violence and aggressive behavior in children is a topic of ongoing debate. While it's challenging to predict precisely how media affects individuals, it's evident that media exposure plays a significant role in shaping people's perceptions and experiences.

• Global Reach of Indian Media:

  Indian television serials and films have a substantial audience not only within India but also in countries like Nigeria, Afghanistan, and among Tibetan immigrants. For instance, even without dubbing, the televised Mahabharat was popular in London among children who only spoke English.

• Digital Media Revolution:

  In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards non-print digital media, especially through the internet, which is gaining traction, particularly in urban areas.