What Is Popular Culture

What is popular culture? Does popular culture affect your decision-making process? If so, how? If not, why not?

The definition of popular culture describes shared practices and knowledge that is common within a culture (Petracca and Sorapure, 2007). Our text describes popular culture as “. . .transitory” (Petracca and Sorapure, para.2, 2007); therefore, popular culture reflects the ever changing trends in communication methods, music, and other mass culture related entities typically accepted within subculture and countercultural segments. Popular cultures influence on decision making is profoundly evident in various aspects within society. An example that I consider appropriate to use is our decision to take online classes to receive a higher education, we were all impelled by popular culture in our decision to enroll in online classes. Popular culture is also evident in child rearing practices. What was once considered a proper disciplining method (spanking) is now considered corporal punishment and parents are encouraged to use methods such as time-out or designating a quiet room. One can also reflect on how music and clothing styles have transitioned over the years when considering the influence popular culture has on decision making. The Hip-Hop culture has influenced today’s youth to wear their clothes a certain way, and speak a certain way. Today’s slang is often mentioned as degrading and insufficient by intellectuals; however, it is necessary to have knowledge of popular culture to ensure the capability of staying current on the latest involving drugs, smoking, and sex. Popular culture is considered “. . . the most visible and pervasive level of culture in a given society” (Petracca and Sorapure, para. 2, 2007); therefore, its influential ability is common among subculture and counterculture segments because of the frequent exposure to mass culture that takes place within these segments.

Reference Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.