02-Culture

Subculture: Cultural patterns that set apart some segment of a society's population. Ex.: At Sacred Heart there will always be the different sects. The interns will fill the bottom of the food chain. Residents, Surgeons, and the Chiefs of the fields (medicine, surgeons, residents).

Beliefs :Specific ideas that people hold to be true. Ex.: “Relationships don't work they way they do on television and in the movies. Will they? Won't they? And then they finally do, and they're happy forever. Gimme a break. Nine out of ten of them end because they weren't right for each other to begin with, and half of the ones who get married get divorced anyway, and I'm telling you right now, through all this stuff I have not become a cynic. I haven't. Yes, I do happen to believe that love is mainly about pushing chocolate covered candies and, y'know, in some cultures, a chicken. You can call me a sucker, I don't care, because I do believe in it. Bottom line: it's couples who are truly right for each other wade through the same crap as everybody else, but the big difference is they don't let it take them down. One of those two people will stand up and fight for that relationship every time. If it's right, and they're real lucky, one of them will say something.” - Dr. Cox

Cultural transmission: the process by which one generation passes culture to the next Ex.: Interns getting most of their knowledge from the doctors such as JD and Dr. Cox.

Values: culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful and that serve as broad guidelines for social living. Ex.: There's always the values that doctors must do their very best for their patients.

Symbol: anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a culture. Ex.: An uncommon would be the penny. Only recognized by J.D. and Janitor. Ever since J.D. stuck a penny in the door Janitor has been bringing it up occasionally.

Popular Culture: cultural patterns that are widespread among a society's population. Ex.: At the end of a tough/successful day. The group will usually meet up at the local bar to unwrap and rewind after a long days' work.