1. 8 Elements of Culture
Mrs. Kercher
7th grade

2. Social Groups
Geographers study culture by looking at different groups of people in a society
The rich, poor, and middle class
The young, old
The men, women
Geographers look at how people in a culture treat others who are different
Most countries include people who belong to different ethnic groups (groups sharing common culture, language, and history)

3. Government How a country is governed (laws) reflects a group’s culture
Governments ruled by individuals
Monarchy – kings and queens
Dictatorship – 1 person in control
Democracy - ruled by groups (people)
Many countries have mixed forms

4. Economy
Geographers look at how people in a culture earn a living and its economic system: set of rules for how people decide what goods and services are produced and distributed.
Traditional
Market (Free Enterprise)
Command

5. Religion
Helps people to answer basic questions about the meaning of life
Beliefs vary around the world.
Fighting over religion causes problems in many countries.
World religions include: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Judiasm

6. Language People use language to share information.
Language is the strongest unifying force for a culture.
Language differences – dialect – a local form of a language that differs from the main language – pronunciation and meanings differ
Soft drinks – “pop” or “soda”
Sandwiches – “hoagie” or “sub”

7. The Arts People express their culture through the arts.
Paintings, sculptures, architecture, dance, music, and theater
Poetry, writings, and various forms of literature
By studying the arts of a culture, geographers can see what the people view as beautiful and important

8. History
A culture group shares a common history that shapes their view of the world.
Remember the successes, celebrations of holidays honoring heroes and heroines
Reveals characteristics of importance
Remember dark periods of disaster and defeat
Influences how a group sees and views itself

9. Daily Life What people eat and how they eat reflects one’s culture
What people wear
Types of homes they live in
Types of jobs, entertainment, and education