Topic Summaries

Concepts of culture

A-Level > Sociology > AQA > A Level Sociology Topic Summaries > Culture and identity > Concepts of culture
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Exam overview
  • High culture: high culture refers to cultural products with lasting artistic, literary, or intellectual value such as classical music, fine art, and opera. It is associated with the upper class and elite institutions. 👤 Bourdieu (1977) argues it represents cultural capital, benefiting those who possess it in education and employment.
    • Postmodernists argue the boundary between high culture and popular culture is breaking down due to mass media and globalisation.
  • Folk culture: consists of traditional customs, music, crafts, and stories passed down in small, often rural, communities. It is usually community-based and reflects a shared history.
    • Rapid urbanisation and globalisation threaten its survival, leading to a loss of unique traditions.
  • Mass culture: mass culture is produced for large audiences using mass media, often standardised and repetitive. 👥 Frankfurt School (~1930s) theorists argue it encourages conformity and discourages critical thinking, serving capitalist interests.
    • Critics suggest mass culture can also spread democratic values and shared experiences across diverse groups.
  • Popular culture: popular culture includes widely consumed products such as films, sport, and popular music. 👤 Strinati (2023) argues the distinction between high and popular culture is becoming less clear in postmodern societies.
    • Marxists argue it is shaped by media corporations to maximise profit, limiting creativity.
  • Subcultures: are groups with distinct norms, values, and styles, often emerging in opposition to mainstream culture. 👤 Hebdige (1979) sees youth subcultures like punks as using style as resistance to dominant values.
    • Postmodernists argue subcultural styles are quickly commercialised and lose their oppositional meaning.
  • Global culture: arises when cultural products and practices are shared globally through media, travel, and trade. 👤 McLuhan (1964) describes this as the “global village.” 👤 Ritzer (2008) links it to “McDonaldization,” where cultures are standardised.
    • Hybridisation theories suggest global and local cultures blend, creating new cultural forms rather than complete homogenisation.

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