What is Culture? The beliefs and behaviors of a society Culture consists of abstract ideas, values, and perceptions of the world that inform and are reflected in people’s behavior Culture is the lens through which we view our world It “invents” our reality

Culture is like an iceberg…

Culture is Learned Rather than inherited biologically Enculturation: The transmission of culture from one generation to the next Mammals in general display cultural behavior (i.e. we all have the urge to eat/sleep, but when we do/with whom/in what order is determined by our social relationships) With humans, our social rules are more varied and complex (Chimp Culture)

Culture is Shared By members of a society and produces behavior that is intelligible (able to be understood) to other members of that society Society vs. Culture Society: An organized group or groups of interdependent people who generally share a common territory, language, and culture and who act together for collective survival and well-being. There can be no culture without a society, there are no known human societies that do not exhibit culture.

Cultures Change In response to environmental or societal pressures. Security- 9/11 security measures have changed because of terrorists Fashion- Coats in New York vs. Coats in Atlanta Education- Changes in ways we teach because of technology Technology- iPhone

Multiple Cultures What cultures are we a part of? What characteristics define those cultures? What symbols represent those cultures?