What term can be used to describe cultural values that conflict with mainstream societal values?

The term "counterculture" specifically refers to cultural values and behaviors that reject and oppose the dominant societal norms and values. It is characterized by a group that actively seeks to create an alternative lifestyle and often challenges the status quo. Countercultures arise in response to perceived shortcomings or problems within mainstream culture and typically advocate for different beliefs, practices, and ways of living.

For instance, movements like the hippie movement of the 1960s can be classified as a counterculture because they rejected the prevailing social norms around consumerism, war, and traditional family structures. This opposition to mainstream values is central to the concept of counterculture, setting it apart from other cultural categories.

In contrast, traditional culture refers to customs and practices that are passed down through generations, while subculture represents smaller groups within a larger culture that have their unique values and interests but do not necessarily reject the broader societal values. Stereotypical culture, while not a widely recognized sociological term, would imply a misrepresentation or oversimplification of a particular culture rather than denoting a distinct or oppositional cultural stance.