Elements of Culture Four Elements of Culture

What is Culture?  Culture is everything that makes up a person or group’s way of life

There are various elements found in any culture. What might some of those elements be?  Geography  Religion  Economy  Government

Let’s look at these elements more closely…..  Geography – Impacts the development of culture

Four Elements of Culture  Religion * Monotheism – belief in only one god * Polytheism – belief in more than one god

Four Elements of Culture  Economic systems * The system of production, distribution and consumption * What does this mean?

Four Elements of Culture  Government * People form governments to provide for their common needs

Four Elements of Culture  Social Organizations – When a culture organizes itself into groups  What might some smaller groups be? Families Friends Religious groups Social classes Occupations Interest groups

Four Elements of Culture  Social organizations (cont.) Families: the most important unit of social organization  Nuclear family – husband, wife, children  Extended family – several generations in one household. Respect for elders is usually strong in extended families

Four Elements of Culture  Social organizations (cont.) Social classes – a way to rank people in order of status depending on what is important to culture What can social class be based on?  Money  Occupation  Education  Race  Etc.

Four Elements of Culture  Ways culture can change - Cultural Diffusion – movement of customs and ideas from one place to another. Diffusion occurs two ways: - peaceful means – trade - violent means - war - Technology – cars, telephones, internet

Four Elements of Culture  Be careful of…… Enthnocentrism Enthnocentrism – judging other cultures by the standards of your own  Assuming your own culture to be the best! Racism Racism – belief that one racial group is naturally superior to another