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The sociology of culture studies common beliefs, norms, and practices that unite certain groups of people. It focuses on symbols, norms, values, and subcultures. Symbols are signs with prescribed meanings, while norms dictate desirable behaviors. Subcultures form as counterarguments to the dominant culture.
The sociology of culture is one of the branches of sociology that focuses on the specific sets of common beliefs, norms, and practices that unite certain groups of people as a culture. Some of the focal points of this study of culture are those of symbols, objects and the social meanings attached to them. Many cultural sociologists also look for certain criteria that distinguish one culture from another. Unlike other social sciences, the sociology of culture is often more flexible because cultural norms can change over time.
Symbols constitute a particular area of interest within the sociology of culture; they are typically defined as any variety of signs that have prescribed meanings. Words, body language, and artwork can all be classified as symbols within a given culture. The factor that gives importance to a symbol is the widespread agreement about its meaning among people of a common culture. Symbols are markedly different from elements of material culture because symbols need not be physically tangible artifacts such as clothing. Unlike other branches of sociology, this type of social science places more emphasis on the study of symbols than on the systematic steps of the scientific method.
Cultural sociologists also spend time examining the norms and values of different cultures. Values compose the set of criteria that members of a culture use to determine which specific ways of life are the most ideal and worth pursuing. Norms are closely related to values because they dictate behaviors that are deemed most desirable and best for the good of a certain society as a whole. Some examples of the most frequent norms include social mores, local laws, and traditional expectations. Failure to abide by the norms of a dominant culture can often result in sanctions or perhaps the formation of a subculture, if a significantly large group violates accepted norms enough.
Subcultures are a popular research topic within the sociology of culture. These fringe groups typically have quite different sets of norms and values that their members form as counterarguments to those of the dominant culture. Cultural studies cite several reasons for the rise of a subculture, namely dissatisfaction with the expectations that the larger society may impose on its members. The sociology of culture can also point to disparities in cultural capital as other reasons for subcultures.
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