Almost nobody loses points on this quiz because they've never heard of a term. They lose
them by picking the neighbouring term. These are the 9 pairs worth
separating properly — the 4 marked most confused are the ones the course
itself flags or that sit closest together.
Cover the right-hand column with your hand, read the left definition, and say which term it
is out loud before you look. Then swap sides.
most confused
demography
The study of human population — the field itself.
vs
demographics
The data — definable characteristics of a population, the information collected about people in an area.
How to tellThe course explicitly warns these "are often confused" and gave them their own chalkboard. Demography is the subject; demographics are the numbers. A demographer does demography and produces demographics.
most confused
population
The inhabitants of a particular area — how many people.
vs
population density
The number of people per unit of area, e.g. people per square mile.
How to tellChina vs Israel. China has the bigger population; Israel has the higher density. If the question mentions area, square miles, or crowding, it wants density.
most confused
deviance
Departure from established norms. The society rejects the person or behavior.
vs
counterculture
A group systematically opposed to the dominant culture. The group does the rejecting, deliberately.
How to tellAsk who is rejecting whom. Deviance = society pushes them out. Counterculture = they push back, on purpose and as a group.
counterculture
Opposed to the dominant culture — defined by challenging it.
vs
subculture
Ignores some of the larger society's values to focus on what it finds important.
How to tellOpposition vs indifference. A counterculture is arguing with the mainstream; a subculture just isn't that interested in parts of it.
most confused
acculturation
The process of adopting another group's social patterns. Something you do.
vs
culture shock
The feeling — surprise, disorientation, confusion, anxiety — of being in an entirely different culture.
How to tellShock is the reaction; acculturation is the adjustment. Matoaka/Pocahontas learning English and changing her clothing = acculturation. Being overwhelmed by unfamiliar food and manners = culture shock.
values
A culture's ideas about what is right and wrong.
vs
social norms
The established standards of behavior that society maintains.
How to tellThe lesson's own framing: norms are the rules that reinforce values. Values are the belief; norms are the behavior that enforces it. Believing elders deserve respect = a value. Giving up your bus seat = a norm.
symbols
Objects or images that carry a shared meaning — a cross, a crescent moon, a restroom sign, a greeting.
vs
language
A system of symbols that lets people communicate.
How to tellLanguage is made of symbols, so it's a special case rather than an opposite. If it's one image or object carrying meaning → symbol. If it's a whole system used to communicate thoughts → language.
mental map
Inside one person's head. Unique to them. Sharper for familiar places.
vs
actual map
Made by a cartographer for other people to use, and planned before it's drawn.
How to tell1.2.1 page 6 asked you to review exactly this difference. The bridge between them is the four cartographer questions — that's what turns a private mental map into a map somebody else can read.
culture
The behaviors and beliefs of a group of people — any group.
vs
dominant culture
The beliefs and behaviors of the majority; also called "the mainstream."
How to tellDominant culture is a culture too — the one most people are in. The word "majority" or "mainstream" in a question points at dominant culture.
If you only remember one thingDemography is the study; demographics are the data. Population is how
many; density is how packed. Deviance is society rejecting you; a
counterculture is a group rejecting society. Culture shock is the feeling;
acculturation is the adjusting.
