ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

What is Culture? Culture consists of all of the shared products of human groups. Physical objects that people create and use are material culture. –Ex: automobiles, books, buildings, clothing, computers, eating utensils Abstract human creations are nonmaterial culture. –Ex: beliefs, family patterns, ideas, language, political & economic systems, rules, skills, & work practices

Technology Combination of objects & rules for using objects Tools require skills, which are part of nonmaterial culture Sociologists are also interested in rules of acceptable behavior when using material culture

Symbols Symbols are anything that represents something else, always has a shared meaning attached to it We use symbols to create our culture & communicate it Words, gestures, images, sounds, physical objects, events, or elements of the natural world can be a symbol

Language Language is the organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Language can tell us a lot about where a person comes from and even elements of their sub-culture

Values Values are shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, and desirable or undesirable These determine the character of a people and the kind of culture they create A culture that values warfare and conflict will look very different than one that values peace and cooperation

Norms Norms are shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations Folkways outline the common customs of everyday life Mores have great moral significance attached to them Serious mores are formalized as laws – written rules of conduct