Which concept refers to culture that exists alongside the dominant culture but may differ in significant ways?

The concept that refers to a culture existing alongside the dominant culture while exhibiting significant differences is known as a subculture. Subcultures can be defined by unique values, norms, and practices that distinguish them from the mainstream culture, yet they still operate within the broader social framework.

Examples of subcultures might include specific youth cultures, such as goths or punks, or other groups like the LGBTQ+ community, which possess their own distinct identities, styles, and beliefs that set them apart from the dominant cultural narrative, but still interact with and coexist alongside it.

Counterculture, on the other hand, actively rejects and confronts the dominant culture's values, often advocating for broader societal changes. Alternative culture generally implies cultural practices that may not adhere strictly to the mainstream but do not necessarily challenge or reject the dominant culture, and cultural integration refers to the processes by which different cultural groups learn from and incorporate aspects of one another's cultures, leading to a blending rather than a coexistence of differing cultural identities.