The Meaning of Culture

The Elements of Culture Everyone born into a culture. Share common characteristics. Anthropologists divided into 7 Elements

#1 Social Organization smaller structure-meet needs of people Family Patterns- most important nuclear family extended family

Social Classes Ranking of people in order of status Based on what that culture values highly Social mobility

Customs and Traditions -rules of behavior cultural rules vary in importance social pressure to fit in Social norms-unify or not

Arts and Literature Products of human imagination such as art, music, literature that please and entertain us. Folk tales-traditions that help pass on a culture’s basic beliefs and values. A and L help to strengthen a culture’s identity

Language The cornerstone of culture reflects a culture’s identity unify culture (or not) age

Religion Arts often closely linked to people’s religious beliefs within a culture, people usually share religious beliefs Meaning of life

Forms of Government People’s governments provide for their common needs such as order and protection people organize governments types of governments: democracy republic dictatorship

Economic Systems Economics refers to how people use limited resources to satisfy their wants and needs. 3 basic questions: what goods and services should we produce how should we produce them for whom should we produce them

Economics cont. Traditional economy: people produce most of what they need to survive Market economy:buying and selling goods and services. Command economy: government controls what goods are produced & what they cost Mixed-most nations have mixed economies

The American Dream

Cultural diffusion spread of culture and the factors that account for it, such as migration, communications, trade, and commerce

Ethnocentrism The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Cultural superiority

Cultural Divergence The restriction of an element of culture from outside influences Example: government censorship

Cultural Convergence Cultural convergence occurs when multiple cultures become more like one another through exposure to traditions, ideals and languages.

Questions to Ponder Describe three elements that help give YOUR culture its identity. How are family patterns related to YOUR culture? How do the arts in the United States help to unify the nation? Which element of culture is most relevant in your life?