Question

MCAT Sociology Tutorial: Introduction to Society and Culture

Answer 1

\({\bf{Models~of~Society:}}\)
- functionalism: society is a sum of working parts that function as a whole
- structures: the components in the functionalist model
- conflict theory: society is the result of conflict between two groups, those with power and those without; the dominant group attempts to maintain its influence over the others
- symbolic interactionism: society is the sum of social interactions and the symbolic meaning associated with those interactions

- social construction of reality: reality is defined through a series of social interactions

Answer 2

\({\bf{Culture:}}\) behaviors shared within a group
- material culture: tangible aspects like artifacts or technology
- symbolic culture: intangible aspects like ideas, rituals, language
> symbol: an image, item, or action imbibed with meaning
> language: a series of complex symbols used to convey higher level ideas
> values: a set of principles shared by a culture
> beliefs: smaller, specific ideas that are shaped by values

\({\bf{Norms~and~Rituals:}}\)
- norms: standards for behavior
> mores: moral codes that have high stakes for those who break them
> folkways: norms that are still guided by values but are not as seriously punished when broken

- ritual: a pattern of behavior for formal events
> are based on shared values
> reinforce the sense of community within a culture

\({\bf{Sub-cultures:}}\) a smaller subset of a culture that holds contrary beliefs to the dominant culture
> may be based on an inherent inborn characteristic like race or nationality, but can also be chosen
- assimilation: the process of a subculture adopting the attitudes of the dominant culture
- multiculturalism: the maintenance of a subculture's values despite their differences to the dominant culture

Answer 3

Anyway, that's the end of my tutorial, I hope it was a helpful resource. Source material is the 2nd Edition Barron's Prep book for the new MCAT