Justin Jamero Rey

BSCRIM 3
SECTION 2

1. Define what is popular culture?

Answer:
Popular culture, often abbreviated as "pop culture," refers to the set of ideas, practices, beliefs,
images, objects, and phenomena that are prevalent and widely accepted within a society at a
particular point in time. It encompasses various aspects of daily life, such as entertainment,
fashion, music, technology, slang, and trends, that capture the interests and preferences of a
broad audience. Popular culture is dynamic and can change rapidly, reflecting the current tastes
and influences of a society.
2. How John Sorey (British Media Specialist) define popular culture (6)?
Answer:
John Storey emphasizes various aspects of popular culture, including its widespread appeal,
distinction from high culture, its connection to mass audiences, its roots in the experiences of
ordinary people, its interaction with concepts like cultural hegemony (as proposed by Antonio
Gramsci), and its relationship with postmodernism. This multi-faceted approach helps provide a
comprehensive understanding of how popular culture operates and influences society.
3. Define and give a situation or sample situation of the following:
A. Ethnocentrism:
Definition: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge or evaluate other cultures based on the
values, beliefs, and standards of one's own culture, often leading to a biased or superior view of
one's own culture.
Sample Situation: Imagine a person from Culture A visiting Culture B and constantly criticizing
the food, clothing, and traditions of Culture B because they are different from those of Culture
A. This person is exhibiting ethnocentrism by using their own cultural norms as a yardstick for
judgment.
B. Cultural Relativism:
Definition: Cultural relativism is the perspective that a culture's values, beliefs, and practices
should be understood and evaluated within the context of that culture itself, rather than using
the standards of another culture.
Sample Situation: Consider an anthropologist studying a remote indigenous tribe. Instead of
comparing their customs to their own, the anthropologist tries to understand the tribe's
practices in terms of their cultural background and historical context. This approach reflects
cultural relativism.
C. Norms:
Definition: Norms are social expectations or guidelines that dictate how people should behave
in specific situations within a given culture.
Sample Situation: In many cultures, a norm is to shake hands when meeting someone new. If
someone were to bow instead of shaking hands, it might be considered unusual or not
conforming to the norm of that culture.
D. Folkways:
Definition: Folkways are informal norms and common customs that guide everyday behavior,
often including manners and politeness.
Sample Situation: Holding the door open for someone behind you, saying "please" and "thank
you," and not talking loudly in public places are examples of folkways that help maintain social
harmony and etiquette.
E. Mores:
Definition: Mores are strong, often moral, social norms that are considered highly important
and violating them can lead to severe consequences.
Sample Situation: In many societies, stealing, lying, and cheating are considered mores. If
someone is caught stealing, they might face legal consequences and social ostracism due to the
seriousness of the norm violation.