CULTURE

WHAT IS CULTURE
A complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art , law, morals,
customs, and any other capabilities and
habits acquired by people as
members of society (Tylor 1871:1)
A persons social heritage or the
customary ways in which groups
organize their ways of behaving,

Language and Culture

Symbolic language factor responsible for
the existence and development of culture.
SYMBOL
Anything that
stands or
represents
something else.
Meanings are
given to objects
by those who use
them.

LANGUAGE
Refers to the
systematized
usage of speech
and hearing to
convey,
communicate, or
express feelings
and ideas
(Eshleman and
Cashion 1983:83)

Elements of Culture
Culture is made up of many elements which are
interrelated with each other and unified
into a whole in order for all its aspects to
function effectively.
Modes of acting, thinking, and feeling in various
social situations are defined by the members
of the society and are learned and shared
by them.
The major elements of culture are knowledge,
social norms, beliefs, values and material

Knowledge
(The total range of what has been learned or perceived as
true)

Natural accumulated facts about

the natural world, including both
biological and physical aspects.
Technical/Technological
knowledge of nature which are useful
in dealing with practical problems.
Ex. Methods of acquiring food,
dealing with disease, etc.

Knowledge
(The total range of what has been learned or perceived as
true)

Supernatural perceptions about

BEINGS who are held to possess
supernatural powers.
Magical perceptions about
METHODS of influencing supernatural
events by manipulating certain laws
of nature.

Social Norms
(standard pattern of behavior)
Folkways also known as customs,
traditions and conventions, expected
behavior
Mores special norms; coercive; more on
taboos
Sanctions
system
of rewards and punishment;
Law
formalized
norms
may be informal or formal
Collective form of behavior - Fashion, fads,
crazes and other passing fancies operate
primarily as forces of social change

Values
Abstract concepts of what is important and
worthwhile.
Are the basis of our judgment, of what we
consider good, desirable, and correct as
well as what is considered bad,
undesirable, ugly and wrong.
Examples are Love for Country, Respect
for elderly, Love for family

Beliefs
Superstitious belief is just one
form of belief.
Embody peoples perception of
reality and include primitive
ideas of the universe as well as
the scientists empirical view of
the world.

Technology and Material

Culture

Technology refers to techniques

and know-how in utilizing raw
materials to produce food, tools,
shelter, clothing, means of
transportation, and weapons.
Artifacts material objects that are
products of technology

Technology and Material

Culture

These material objects reflect

material culture, and are to
be studied along with their
nonmaterial aspects if we are
to understand them fully.

Expound on
the meaning of the image
in relation to culture

Assignment:
What are the functions
of culture?