Sociology -- Chapter Two

Material culture refers to the physical objects, artifacts, and technology that are created and used by a society. Language, on the other hand, is a form of non-material culture as it consists of symbols, words, and rules used to communicate and convey meaning. While televisions and home appliances are physical objects and part of material culture, language is not.

Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural elements from one culture to another. It involves the transmission and adoption of ideas, behaviors, practices, and technologies between different societies. This process can occur through various means such as trade, migration, communication, and globalization. Unlike invention, which involves the creation of new cultural elements, diffusion focuses on the transfer and integration of existing cultural elements into different societies.

Culture refers to the total lifestyle of a group of people, encompassing their ideas, knowledge, behaviors, and material possessions that they share. It includes their customs, traditions, language, arts, music, and social norms. Culture shapes the way people think, behave, and interact with each other. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses all aspects of a society's way of life.

Being born male is the best example of an ascribed status because it is a social position that is assigned to an individual at birth and is based on biological factors such as sex. Ascribed statuses are involuntary and are not achieved through individual effort or accomplishment. Graduating from college, getting married, selling drugs, and joining a religion are examples of achieved statuses, as they are acquired through personal choices or actions.

Occupation, marital status, parenthood, and bank robber are all examples of achieved statuses. Achieved statuses are social positions that individuals acquire through their own efforts or achievements. These statuses are not assigned at birth or based on characteristics that are beyond an individual's control, but rather are attained through personal accomplishments, skills, or qualifications. In contrast, ascribed statuses are those that individuals are born into or assigned based on factors such as their race, gender, or family background.

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of individuals to view their own culture as superior and to judge other cultures based on their own cultural standards. This bias can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation for other cultures, as well as the belief that one's own cultural practices and beliefs are inherently better or more correct. Ethnocentrism can hinder cross-cultural understanding and contribute to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.

Pastoralism refers to the subsistence pattern of raising herds of domestic animals. This involves the nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle of moving the herds to different grazing areas in search of food and water. Pastoral societies rely on the animals for their livelihood, using them for meat, milk, wool, and other resources. This subsistence pattern is distinct from hunting and gathering, horticulturalism, agriculture, and industrialism, as it specifically focuses on the rearing of domestic animals for sustenance.

Mores refer to the norms and customs that are considered to be of great significance in a society. They are deeply ingrained and are often associated with moral values. The prohibitions against murder and incest are considered to be mores because they are fundamental moral rules that are universally condemned in most societies. These norms are not just preferences or customs, but rather they are seen as essential for the functioning and well-being of the society.

An argot can serve all of the functions mentioned in the options. It can separate group members from nonmembers by creating a specialized language that only group members understand. It reinforces group identity by providing a unique way of communication that distinguishes the group from others. It offers concise ways to refer to roles and statuses not commonly found in mainstream society, allowing the group to express their specific concepts and ideas. Lastly, it reinforces a subculture's values and priorities by using language that reflects and promotes those values.

The correct answer is "a person is rewarded for conforming to a norm." Sanctions refer to the rewards or punishments that individuals receive for conforming to or deviating from social norms. In this case, the answer choice exemplifies sanctions by stating that a person is rewarded for conforming to a norm.