Talking about Culture and Custom: English Vocabulary List

the dominance or control exercised by one group, entity, or state over others, especially in the realms of politics, culture, or ideology

"The country achieved hegemony over its neighbors through trade and military might."

"The small country feared the economic hegemony of its much larger and more powerful neighbor."

the belief in and advocacy for the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, social class, or other distinguishing characteristics

"Egalitarianism is the belief that all people should be treated as equals."

"The movement championed egalitarianism, striving for equal opportunities for everyone in society."

the customs and values of a society that characterize it

"The mores of the society strongly discouraged public displays of anger."

"Social mores about appropriate dress have changed significantly over the past fifty years in many countries."

the tendency to evaluate and judge other cultures or groups based on the standards and values of one's own, often resulting in a belief in the superiority of one's own culture or group

"Ethnocentrism judges other cultures by your own."

"Ethnocentrism is the biased tendency to view one's own ethnic group as superior and to evaluate all other groups against the standard of one's own cultural norms and values."

the dispersion or scattering of a community or ethnic group from their ancestral or original homeland

"The Jewish diaspora spread across many countries."

"The Jewish diaspora spread Jewish communities across Europe the Middle East and North Africa after ancient exiles."

the in-depth study of people and cultures through direct observation and interaction

"Ethnography is the detailed study of how people live in different cultures."

"Ethnography is a qualitative research method where a researcher immerses themselves in a community for an extended period to observe its social interactions and cultural practices firsthand."

the process of cultural exchange and adaptation when individuals or groups from different cultures come into contact, leading to changes in their respective cultural patterns

"Acculturation happens when one culture adopts traits from another culture over time."

"The process of acculturation takes time as immigrants gradually adopt the language and customs of their new country."

a social and cultural movement that emerges in opposition to prevailing mainstream norms, values, and practices

"The counterculture rejected traditional values."

"A counterculture is a subculture whose values and behavioral norms deviate substantially from the dominant society"

a natural object, often an animal or plant, that is considered sacred and serves as a symbol or emblem for a particular group, clan, or family

"The totem pole represents a family's history."

"The totem pole outside the community center tells the history of the indigenous family who carved it."

conformity with accepted ideas, practices, or standards of thought and behavior

"Conventionality means following the usual rules and not doing anything strange."

"Conventionality is the state of conforming to accepted social norms and established traditions"

a formal statement of beliefs or principles, often religious or philosophical in nature

"Honesty is his personal credo."

"A credo is a formal statement of the core beliefs and guiding principles that shape an individual's or organization's worldview"

a guiding principle, intended to provide moral guidance or a basis for behavior

"The precept guided his behavior."

"A precept is a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought"

the elaborate display or ceremonial spectacle associated with public events, celebrations, or formal occasions

"The opening ceremony was full of colorful pageantry with flags and music."

"The royal wedding was a spectacular event full of colorful pageantry and tradition."

the belief in spirits residing within natural elements, objects, and living beings

"Animism believes spirits live in everything."

"Animism is the belief that natural objects like rivers trees and mountains have spirits or souls inside them."