What term refers to a culture that exists within a dominant culture but differs from it?

The term that refers to a culture that exists within a dominant culture but differs from it is "subculture." A subculture encompasses the beliefs, values, norms, and lifestyle that distinguish it from the larger culture around it. Members of a subculture usually share specific interests, identities, or practices that set them apart, while still coexisting within the broader societal context.

For instance, groups such as goths, skaters, or various musical genres (like punk or hip-hop) can exemplify subcultures. These groups retain their unique characteristics but still participate in the overarching societal norms and frameworks.

In contrast, counter culture actively opposes or seeks to change the dominant culture, while the dominant culture is the mainstream culture that is widely accepted and practiced by the majority of society. An ethnic group involves shared cultural traits, language, and heritage but doesn’t specifically denote the relationship to the dominant culture the way a subculture does.