The 7 Elements of Culture

Journal Entry #7 Name the 6 groups that use resources from the Amazon rainforest AND their position on how the land should be used or preserved.

Essential Questions What elements are considered when analyzing a country’s culture? How does Latin American culture differ from American culture?

_________: everything that makes up a person’s entire way of life

7 Elements of Culture Social Organization ____________________ Language Arts and Literature Religion

7 Elements of Culture ____________________ These are things that all cultures have in common. What might some of those things be? ____________________ -When a culture organizes its members into ____________________ What might some smaller groups be in a culture? Families Friends Religious groups ______________ ________________ Interest groups

7 Elements of Culture ________________, cont. - __________: the most important unit of social organization ________________- husband, wife, children _________________ several generations in one household - respect for elders is usually strong in extended families.

7 Elements of Culture ___________________, cont. - _________________: a way to rank people in order of status What can social class be based on? Money Occupation Education Race Etc.

7 Elements of Culture 2. ___________________ Rules of behavior (written and unwritten) Food, clothing, celebrations, etc.

7 Elements of Culture _______________ Important for _________________ and passing on _____________ and ____________ There is some debate about making English the official language of the United States.

7 Elements of Culture 4. _____________________ - teach about a culture’s values - promote ______________ and unity -Could include technology and entertainment

7 Elements of Culture _____________ Major World Religions ______________: belief in one god ____________: belief in more than one god Major World Religions Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism

7 Elements of Culture 6. ______________________ People form governments to provide for their common needs Types ______________: people have supreme power ___________: people choose leaders to represent them ____________: a ruler or group holds power by force White House Great Britain’s Houses of Parliament

7 Elements of Culture ___________________ Resources a community has Four types 1. ____________: people produce most of what they need to survive 2. ___________: basic economic questions are answered by buying/selling goods and services 3. ____________: government controls answers to economic questions 4. __________: individuals make some economic decisions, the government makes others

Ways Cultures Change Technology _______________________ Cars, telephone, computers, TV dinners _______________________ New Ideas (like recycling) _____________: movement of customs and ideas from one place to another

Be Careful of… _______________: judging other cultures by the standards of your own Assuming your own culture to be the best ___________: belief that one racial group is naturally superior to another