Understanding Human Societya group of people who are all interdependent and interconnected by their cultural connections; they live in patterned ways and their behaviors in various circumstances are well established; for instance in the Western world most people adhere to lines (cue) at bus stops, or movie theaters, or when checking out at a grocery store; patterned and regular ways of doing things are expected and accepted
On this website, we simplify the definition of cultureculture is not genetically inherited, it is shared, learned, and dynamic- never static as “everyday life.” However, culture is essentially the shared set of beliefs, values, customs, practices, traditions, and celebrations that define a group of people. Culture shapes our lives by influencing how we interact with the world around us. Culture encompasses everything from languagea system of symbols that allow people to communicate with each other, also the MOST symbolic way that culture is passed down to traditions to artthe expressive or application of human creative skill and imagination in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, or in music, literature, or dance; art is created primarily for beauty and emotional power; and "holds art is anything the viewer or listener finds aesthetically pleasing.", foodany nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth, and social norms(cultural) norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide how people behave in a society or group, either formally or informally More. Culture is a complex and multifaceted aspect of all of our human experiences.
Material and Non-material Culturethe intangible ideas, values, and beliefs that shape a society and it does not include physical objects like clothing More:
- Material cultureMaterial culture: all tangible objects, which are created, used, kept, and/or left behind by past and present cultures. In other words, the physical evidence of human experience. Material culture may be dwellings, pottery, tools, furniture, weapons, ornaments, art, and/or complete structures of cities. is tangible, consisting of objects like clothing, architecture, tools, and technologythe system by which a society provides its members with things needed or desired, along with knowledge for the use and maintenance of the system More, which is a reflection of culture
- Non-material culture is Abstract ideas like beliefs, values, norms, and symbols that guide our behavior.
Elements of Culturegenerally speaking, there are seven main elements of culture: social organization, customs and traditions, religion, language, arts and literature, forms of government and economic systems. Added to those elements may be family or clan structures, marital and sexual arrangements.:
- Language is a system of communication that transmits cultural knowledge as well as our identitythe name of a person, along with the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or a group different from others.
- Symbols are objects, images, or even gestures (like thumbs-up) that carry significant meaning within a culture.
- Norms are social rules that define expected behaviors within a culture (like going into a church and being quiet or reverent).
- Values are core beliefsthe fundamental ideas that people have about themselves, others, and the world; beliefs are often rigid and inflexible, impacting how people think, feel, and act More about what is considered good, desirable, or important in a society.
Look Through a Different Lens to Understand Culture and Human Society:
- Cultural Relativismcultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism; it refers to judging other cultures by their own standards, within their own context, and not by our own values, ideologies, or worldview is viewing and interpreting cultural practices within the context of your own culture, recognizing that yours is not inherently superior.
- Ethnocentrismevaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of your own culture More is judging other cultures on the standards of your own culture, often leading to prejudice and/or misunderstanding.
How You Are Shaped by Your Culture:
- Socializationto convert, adapt, or adhere to the needs of society - this also relates to acculturation when in consistent contact with a different culture than your native one is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and behaviors of their culture from a young age.
- Identity Formation culture plays a significant role in shaping your sense of selfa person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action; one's identity, character, abilities, and attitudes, especially towards persons or things outside of oneself note: reflexive is also in the glossary on this site and belonging (fitting in).
- Cultural Diversitythe state of being diverse or different, variety and/or diversity is more than exhibiting "different" outward appearances; diversity is often much more about cultural differences is the existence of different cultures within a society, enriching the social landscape (So much more than outward appearance).
Important Considerations About Culture:
- Culture is Dynamica process or system, characterized by constant change, activity, or progress; in this way culture is dynamic because it is constantly evolving and adapting to changing social conditions.
- Sub-cultures are groups within the larger culture that have distinct values and practices (Think Hippies in the U.S. and Rastafari in Jamaica).
- Globalizationall nations and peoples are interconnected in today's world due to massive flow of goods and services, importation of labor, immigration, technology, finance capital, outsourcing of businesses, and diseases, etc.; globalization promotes rapid culture change and adaptations, which increasingly blurs the lines of cultural components is the interconnectedness of cultures worldwide, leading to increased cultural exchange and hybridity.
Exploring Cultures:
- Cultural Anthropologythe holistic study of humanity in its broadest context in all times and places, ancient and contemporary is the study of human cultures, often focusing on cross-culturalof or relating to different cultures or comparisons between them comparisons
- Sociology examines the social structures and interactions within a culture.
- Communication Studiesa multi-disciplinary field of study of how people communicate with each other, including the creation, delivery, and reception of messages in a variety of settings, also how meaning is created, such as interpersonal, private, public, and mass More analyzes how culture impacts communication styles and meaning-making. (What makes meaning in your life?)
This lecture is part of the dozens of mini-courses available on this itsallaboutculture.com website. The courses here are basic introductions to the many concepts of culture. As a Professor of Cultural Anthropology, I gave my students a wide range of cultural topics and recommended that they explore more of the cultures that interested them. I hope you will do the same.