Culture
Cultural Change and Continuity
Adaptation
Definition: Adaptation refers to the process by which individuals modify their behavior or belief...
Assimilation
Definition Assimilation is a process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms...
Cultural Lag
Definition Cultural lag refers to the delay in societal adjustments when technological advancemen...
Cultural Universals
Definition Cultural universals are fundamental traits or practices that are common to all human s...
Culture Shock
Definition Culture shock refers to the feeling of disorientation or confusion that occurs when so...
Diffusion
Definition Diffusion, as a mechanism for cultural change, refers to the process by which cultural...
Innovation
Definition Innovation is a mechanism for cultural change that involves introducing new ideas, pra...
Material Culture
Definition Material culture refers to the physical objects, artifacts, and built environments cre...
Non-Material Culture
Definition Nonmaterial culture refers to the intangible aspects of a society that include shared ...
Pluralism
Definition Pluralism in sociology refers to a social system or society characterized by diversity...
Culture
Definition Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that c...
Subcultures
Symbols and Meaning
Cultural Display Rules
Definition A cultural display rule refers to the socially learned norms or guidelines within a cu...
Language
Definition Language is a system of communication used by humans through the use of speech, writin...
Sacred and Profane
Definition In sociology, "The Sacred and the Profane" refers to a distinction between two types o...
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Definition The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis is a theory in linguistics that suggests our native languag...
Symbol
Definition A symbol is an object, action, or idea that represents something else, often carrying ...
Values and Beliefs
Animism
Definition Animism is the belief that non-human entities such as animals, plants, objects, or nat...
Collectivistic Culture
Definition A collectivistic culture is one where the well-being of the group or community is prio...
Cultural Humility
Definition Cultural humility is an ongoing process of self-reflection and a willingness to learn ...
Cultural Relativism
Definition Cultural relativism is the idea that a culture's beliefs, practices, and values should...
Ethnocentrism
Definition Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to othe...
Individualistic Culture
Definition An individualistic culture is a type of societal structure where individuals prioritiz...
Magic
Definition In sociology, magic refers to a set of practices and beliefs that involve the use of s...
Monotheism
Definition Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one supreme being or deity who is conside...
Polytheism
Definition Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple deities, often with distinct person...
Religion
Definition In sociology, religion is defined as a set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and shared ...
Supernaturalism
Definition Supernaturalism refers to the belief in forces, entities, or phenomena that are not ex...
Theism
Definition Theism is a belief in the existence of one or more deities who are considered to be su...
Universal Church
Definition The Universal Church refers to the idea of a global community that includes all member...