NCERT Solutions Class 11 Sociology

Chapter - Culture and Socialisation

Q1 :
How does the understanding of culture in social science differ from the everyday use of
the word `culture'?
Answer :
The use of the word 'culture' in everyday life is limited, which refers to the artistic
performances such as dance, music, painting, drama etc. But social science understands
culture in a scientific and prescribed way that is not only limited to drawing and painting
but more than it. Culture has shaped our life and the society as a whole. In sociological
terms, culture implies the common understanding which is learnt and developed through
social interaction and then passed on to the next generation.
Therefore, in everyday use, the term culture is used for individuals, whereas in sociology,
it is used to denote the entire group or the society.
Edward Tylor was the first anthropologist to define culture that includes abstract and
intangible dimensions. Later, Bronislaw Malinowski defined culture, which included the
use of materials as well.

Q2 :
How can we demonstrate that the different dimensions of culture comprise a whole?
Answer :
There are three dimensions of culture cognitive, normative and material that comprise a
whole.
(i) Cognitive: It refers to how we learn to process what we see and hear so as to give it a
meaning. For example, looking at a flag and associating it with the country to which it
belongs. Symbolising the waving of hand as a means of saying goodbye. Thus, every
culture has given a different meaning to different actions.
(ii) Normative: It refers to the rules of conduct. Every society has some rules according to
which its members have to behave. As a result, this behaviour and action of the
individuals become the culture of that society.
(iii) Material: It includes any activity which is made possible by the means of materials. It
also includes tools and machines, which is said to be a part of the culture.
In the present industrial societies, advanced technology and machines are used. Some
societies use them in abundance such as, USA while some do not make much use of it,
such as Afghanistan. Thus, use of various materials in different ways for various purposes
shows the culture of that society.
Therefore, culture can be identified as material and non-material. For the proper and
integrated functioning of the culture, both material and non-material dimensions work
together as a whole. The use of materials having different notions and ways of
understanding different signs and symbols with certain rules of conduct as a whole
describes the culture of that society.

Q3 :
Compare two cultures with which you are familiar. Is it difficult not to be ethnocentric?

Answer :
Note: Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose.
One sample answer has been provided to you:
The two cultures with which we are familiar are:
(i) Urban culture
(ii) Rural culture
The urban culture represents the life in a city, while the rural culture represents the life in
a village. In a city, there are industries for people to work with machines, on the other
hand, in a village people work in farms to produce crops. The life in villages is simpler and
traditional as compared to that of the life in a city. In a city, there is an emphasis on
individualism, while in villages more importance is given to groups.
Hence, the way of life, culture, occupation and thinking is different in urban and rural
areas.
Ethnocentrism means giving value to one's own culture and regarding the other culture as
inferior. Yes, it is difficult not to be ethnocentric because people mostly give value and
superiority to one's own culture. If we compare the villages and cities, it would be obvious
that the villagers carry the notion that their culture is better because it is embedded with
societal norms, values and traditions. On the other hand, the city dwellers would consider
their culture superior because it is modern and liberal.
Historically also, the colonialists considered their culture superior and better to that of the
colonised countries. The notion of ethnocentrism generates differences and wars between
many ethnic and racial groups. For example, the riots of Godhra and Babri Masjid were a
result of ethnocentrism.
Therefore, it is correct to say that it is difficult for people not to be ethnocentric even in
contemporary societies.

Q4 :
Discuss two different approaches to studying cultural change.
Answer :
Cultural change is a way in which society changes its patterns of culture. Cultural change
takes place through the process of adaptation, contact with other cultures and changes in
the natural environment. This change is associated with many sources that can be external
factors or can be the internal adjustments of the culture.
There are two different approaches of cultural change:
(i) Evolutionary
(ii) Revolutionary
Evolutionary change is slow, for instance in the case of education. In ancient times, the
individuals were often taught orally. Gradually with the discovery of paper, writing and
publication of books started. Eventually, new subjects were introduced according to the
need of the society. Further, with the introduction of industrialisation, focus on
professional courses also increased and with the introduction of information technology
and globalisation the new ways of teaching emerged. Finally, several instruments and
gadgets like computer and use of internet was invented.
Contrary to this, revolutionary change is fast. For instance, revolutionary change takes
place through political intervention, as in the case of France. After the French Revolution
the estate system of ranking was destroyed and the values of liberty and equality in the
society were established. This was a radical change in the society and its culture.

Q5 :
Is cosmopolitanism something you associate with modernity? Observe and give
examples of ethnocentrism.

Answer :
Cosmopolitanism means valuing other cultures for their difference. A cosmopolitan
perception is always ready to adapt other cultures and share its own culture with others.
In this process of sharing, neither foreign culture becomes the legitimate part of one's
own culture, nor does the indigenous culture lose its base. Hence, it respects every
culture.
Cosmopolitanism is associated with modernity, in contemporary period, as it is emerging
in most parts of the world. Since modernity has to deal with time, cosmopolitanism is
phenomenon of the modern world.
Ethnocentrism, on the other hand, refers to the standard cultural values that are
considered more superior to that of cultural values of others. For example, the British
people were ethnocentric as they regarded the Indian culture as primitive and orthodox.
Similarly, the people belonging to cities consider the people of villages inferior to them.
The above examples show that unlike cosmopolitanism, ethnocentrism ranks the culture
as superior or inferior.
Q6 :
What in your mind is the most effective agent of socialisation for your generation? How
do you think it was different before?

Answer :
Note: Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose.
One sample answer has been provided to you:
In contemporary time, the mass media has emerged as a strong agent of socialisation.
Earlier, family and the peer group was the socialising agent in an individual's life. However,
now, due to penetration of information technology into the house, people spend more
time in front of computers and television sets, than being with their families and friends.
Children have started adopting new ways from what they watch on televisions. For
instance, they choose their own career and lead a self-chosen lifestyle. They stay
connected with their friends through internet and they even depend on the internet for
their studies. Hence, their dependence on visual media is much more than that of print
media.
Not only children, but even women, men and old age people are getting affected by mass
media. Magazines, newspapers, radio, advertisements, etc. provide information on
various aspects such as health, decoration, eating habits etc. Mass media has therefore
spread itself in every sphere of our lives.
It gives a shape to our personality and ideas at every stage of life. It had its influence on
the society earlier as well but this influence was little.
Thus, it is a boon for our society, as mass media has connected the world with one touch.
For instance, on internet, information is available with just one click and with a touch one
can view everything on television. Mass media has affected the society and also promoted
globalisation. It has decreased the distance between different parts of the world.
Life before introduction of mass media was very different as people had very little
information of the rest of the world. There was no television, radio, newspaper or
internet. People in earlier days had to make a lot of effort to gather information and also
to spread it.