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What is culture?
Culture is the way of life.
According to Sir Edward Burnett Taylor: a
complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, law, morals, custom and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society.
It is not actual observable behavior of a group
of people, but an abstraction derived from it.
Language
Is the critical element of culture that sets human apart
from other species. Members of a society generally
share a common language, which facilitates day to day
exchanges with others. This is the foundation of every
culture.
Values
Culturally defined standards that people use to
decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful and
that serve as broad guidelines for social living.
Beliefs specific idea or thoughts that people hold
to be true. In other words, values are abstract
standards of goodness, and beliefs are particular
matters that individuals consider true or false.
Norms
Rules and expectation by which a society guides
the behavior of its members. In everyday life,
people respond to each other with sanctions,
rewards or punishments that encourage
conformity to cultural norms.
Culture is learned
Culture is learned, not biologically inherited.
This is mans social heredity.
Development of Culture
Language is the critical element of culture
that sets human apart from other species.
Members of a society generally share a
common language, which facilitates day to day
exchanges with others. This is the foundation
of every culture.
Cultural Universals
all societies have developed certain common
practices and beliefs.
Culture may be universal, but the manner in
which they are expressed varies from one
culture to another.