The Essentials of Culture The 8 Categories, 7 ways culture changes, and 6 steps to civilization

What is culture? The way members of a group of people think, believe, live, the way they make tools, and the way they do things. Accumulation of ideas and patterns of expected behavior. Complete design of norms and standards of behavior. Accumulation of artifacts/metifacts in a geographic location.

What’s the purpose of studying culture? Predict human behavior: Even though individuals; much behavior is similar due to common culture. Cultural concept enables us to dismiss as invalid many ideas about human behavior based upon race or physical heredity. The understanding and tolerance of ideas, beliefs, and practices different from our own. World is our backyard. Cultural concept: All human behavior is learned. Therefore, no condition of society is permanent.

Cultural Traits Artifacts These are material aspects of a culture – (i.e. tools, art, clothing, etc…) Metifacts These are nonmaterial aspects of a culture – (i.e. ideas, religion, concepts, laws, superstitions, etc…)

8 Categories of Culture Economics Politics Art Family arrangements Life cycle ceremonies Science and technology Religion Education and language

7 Ways cultures change Science and technology Diffusion Social movements War Enacted laws Natural causes Population movements

Civilizations Civilization is a complex form of culture. It is another form of social organization not intended to have negative or positive connotations whatsoever.

6 Steps of Civilization These are in order! Surplus of food Cities develop Division of labor Class system Advanced levels of science and technology Written language/writing system