The term society refers to a significant population of people who share a geographic area, a language and a way of life together. Language is an abstract system of word meanings and symbols for all aspects of culture. As you are reading, please stop to think about the meaning and importance of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis . Under most circumstances, the subculture is a numerical minority of the total population in the society. In addition, the subculture will still share characteristics in common with the larger society.
Subcultures add options to peoples lives.
They are considered to add texture and variety to the culture and are certainly not viewed as a threat. On the other hand, countercultures are groups brought together by conflict with the larger society and are often viewed as being a threat to the continued social order. Please think of examples of both subcultures and countercultures in the United States. Ethnocentrism is a cultural judgement. It is a universally encountered pattern of viewing one's own culture and experience as superior.