Final answer:
High culture is associated with elite tastes and activities, often requiring wealth to access, while pop culture relates to mass tastes and is prevalent in mainstream society, accessible to most people through various media.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we discuss the roles of both high culture and pop culture within society, we are examining different aspects of cultural expressions and how they impact and are embraced by society at large. High culture typically refers to cultural expression that is associated with the elite, such as attending the ballet, seeing classical plays, and enjoying symphony performances. It is often linked with intellectualism, political power, prestige, and usually requires economic wealth to be accessed. On the other hand, popular culture, or pop culture, represents mass tastes and is the pattern of cultural experiences that are prevalent in mainstream society. This includes events such as parades, sporting events, television shows, and music that is widely available and disseminated through commercial media like radio and television.
Both high culture and pop culture play significant roles in society by reflecting its values and serving the needs of different social segments. While high culture may offer a sense of prestige and continuity with the past, pop culture is more reflective of current societal trends and accessible to a broader audience. It is important to note that the boundaries between these types of culture are not static but can shift over time as certain elements of pop culture may be redefined as high culture in future generations.