The American flag is a material object that denotes the United States of America; however, there are certain connotations that many associates with the flag, like bravery and freedom. In this example, what are bravery and freedom? Explain what each of these may mean about the statement above. a) Symbols b) Language c) Material cultured d) Nonmaterial culture. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives
In the example shown above bravery and freedom are considered nonmaterial cultures. They are ideas, attitudes, and beliefs society painted for the American flag. The American flag has a variety of significant symbols one of them being the 50 stars in the flag represent the 50 states in the United States of America. The 13 red stripes signify the 13 colonies. The colors in the flag also have a meaning. The red covey’s hardiness and valor. The white symbolizes purity and innocence. Finally, the blue stands for vigilance perseverance and justice. When the 3 colors come together, they express unity, equality, and opportunity to make dreams reality. The American flag itself symbolizes freedom, justice, liberty, pride, honor, and responsibility. The language the American flag represents can be viewed as English or all the languages in the world. America is made up of a variety of different races that speak different languages. The American flag can be viewed as the objected material used in our culture to signify freedom and a nation. The flag can be considered as a belief of patriotism showing a non-material culture.
The “American Dream”—the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough—is most commonly associated with which sociological theory? a) Sociobiology b) Functionalism c) Conflict theory d) Ethnocentrism. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives.
The statement shown above is most commonly associated with conflict theory. Conflict theory views culture to be unequal based on power. For example, some people are born into wealth while others are not, the wealthy use their resources to maintain their position while the poor have little access to opportunities. A variety of groups come to America for what’s considered the “American dream” and if you work hard you will be successful and rich. As that process is trying to be accomplished the group of people struggles over scare resources like power, money, land, food, and statues. Making some people not capable of completing the American dream. The opposite of this will be functionalism they view society as a system in which all parts work together to create society as a whole.
