Material and Symbolic Culture

       Material culture involves material objects that distinguish a group of people. Some examples are jewelry, art, tools, clothes, and eating utensils. An example from God Grew Tired of Us is how the Lost Boys ate. In their culture, they used their hands to eat -- and that was normal for them. But, Americans use utensils like forks, spoons, and knives to eat. The way we eat and the things we use to eat differentiate Americans from the Lost Boys.

       Symbolic culture is nonmaterial culture whose central components are symbols. This includes gestures and language. Obviously the Lost Boys and Americans speak a different language. Also, although in America nodding ones head means yes and shaking ones head means no, it is the opposite in other countries. In America we shake hands, but Asian people usually bow. These symbols demonstrate central components in our unique cultures.

       Both material culture and symbolic culture distinguish groups of people. Hand gestures, language, clothing style, and even toilets show the differences between cultures. In class we saw picture of different toilets around the world. Not only did the toilets (material culture) look different, but also the way  people go to the bathroom in different countries (symbolic culture) is different. Some squat, some stand, some sit, some let the fish eat their remains. Whichever way it is done, it symbolizes difference.

Ethnocentrism

•   This week in class I had an ethnocentric moment. Yardin shared in class that her family does not let her eat everything off of her plate, because it signifies that their family is poor. Without realizing what I was thinking, a bunch of thoughts ran through my head. For example, that I thought that that custom was weird and unnecessary. In my house, we are expected to only take as much food as we think we can eat. It is considered rude if you don't finish what is on your plate. I tend to jump to conclusions a lot, but I was disappointed in myself for thinking that just because my family doesn't do it, it's strange.

Unit One Targets

1. C. Wright Mills's Sociological Imagination:
        Mills defines sociological imagination as "the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society." In simpler words, sociological imagination is understanding that things in society leads to certain outcomes. Everything we do and say are shaped by previous experiences, and situations we are currently in. Also, our sociological imagination is affected by the way people act around us, and our values. An example is that I strive to have perfect skin and have the perfect body. These characteristics often stress me out. This relates to the American image of a models perfect skin complexion and body type - thin with clear, flawless skin. Centuries ago, thin wasn't considered beautiful. An example that relates to the lives of others is the economy. Kids worry about personal problems like not having summer jobs or jobs to get quick cash during the school year. This relates to the public issue of the economy in the United States.


2. Peter Berger's Social Construction of Reality:
       The concept of the social construction of reality is that groups play certain roles interacting in a social system influencing other groups. Social construction of reality creatively shapes reality through social interaction.  Social reality is socially constructed. Signs and language play important roles. A prime example throughout the world is High School. In that social institution, the nerds are the losers and the jocks/cheerleaders have superiority over them. Kids place importance on things that should not be relevant in the real world.


3. Michael Schwalbe's Sociological Mindfulness
      Schwalbe says that sociological mindfulness "is especially important for helping us see that the consequences of our words and deeds often escape our intentions". In simpler words, people need to take a step back and realize how every single thing we do or say has an affect on other people, even if we don't intend to have meaning behind it. Our actions have consequences. In order to be sociologically mindful, people must be compassionate of others. One should do community service to be sociologically mindful of others. In return for saying something that you didn't mean to be hurtful, make up for it by being mindful of someone else by helping them.
 

Class

         Class this week has been very interesting. Sociology class goes more in depth than I thought it would. The discussions we have make me look deeper into myself then I ever knew I could. Learning about Sociological Imagination made me realize that society changes rapidly. I never thought about how by the time 5 year olds grow up, they won't have the childhood memories I had. Each generation leaves things behind.

       The thing I found most interesting this week was the activity with the boat. Watching everyone scramble to kick others off, I realized what a selfish society we live in. Each boat member didn't really care about anyone else, they just wanted to stay on the boat. As the members were strategizing, I noticed that the disabled ones and the elderly were the first ones to get kicked off. Also, the ones that didn't really make a difference were kicked off. Is this common sense, or judging that just because a person is missing a body part or older they are less capable of everyone else? I thought it was interesting that the Physics guy got to stay, but the Literary award winner got kicked off. I think it's because not many value the arts anymore.