Culture and it's Characteristics

 

It can be defined in the following ways:

a.      It is the cumulative creation of man.

b.     It is the handiwork of man and the medium through which he achieves his ends.

c.      It is the accumulations of thoughts, values and objects.

d.     All the major social components that bind men together in a society. 

e.      Complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.

Characteristics of Culture:

a.    It is learnt.

b.    It is social.

c.    It is transmissive.

d.    It is continuous and cumulative.

e.    It is consistent and integrated.

f.     It is dynamic and adaptive.

g.    It is gratifying.

h.    It varies from society to society.

i.     It is super organic and ideational.

j.     Culture embodies the ideas and norms of the group. 

Types of Culture:

1.     Material Culture

Material culture is related to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture. These include homes, schools, churches, mosques, offices, temples, factories and plants, clothes, utensils, roads, ornaments, T.V, radio, machines, tools, goods and products, stores and many more. All of these man-made objects and things that have been evolved over ages for man’s well-being and comfort are material culture. Now material culture does not mean that it is an object that is bought and sold; it can also be something we all make. For example, cocking art is a common thing we all do, and therefore is a part of our material culture.

2.     Non material Culture

The other type of culture is non material culture which cannot be touch, feel, taste or hold. Non material culture belongs to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture, including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, languages, social roles, ethics, music, literature, customs, traditions, organizations and institutions. Non material culture is just as big of impact on our lives as material culture.

 

Elements of culture:

1.     Social Organization

In most cultures, society divides people by social
organization. Mostly there is a ruler who is more powerful than other persons. Social organization is an important element of culture that shows how the society treats the relationships between different members of that culture.

2.     Customs

Customs are traditions, values, and social standards of a
society and establish practices. These help a society indicate the rules of behaviour which enforce ideas of right and wrong. These can be traditions,rules, written laws, etc.

3.     Rituals

Rituals are processes or set s of actions that are repeated
in specific conditions and with specific meaning. They may be used in such as when someone is promoted or retires. They may be associated with company events or special day.

4.     Religion

Religion is another important element of culture, which
describes a society’s morals and beliefs about humanity’s spirituality and reason for existing.

5.     Language

Language is a symbolic system through which people
communicate and through which culture is written, acted and transmitted. Language is always evolving as societies create new ideas. Rules of speaking and writing vary in every language even within cultures.

6.     Norms

There are different norms, standards and expectations in
cultures for behaving. Norms are divided into two types.Formal norms also called mores and laws considered most important in any society. Informal norms also called folkways and customs, considered less important.
7. Symbols

Some symbols are type of nonverbal communication, while
others are material objects. Every culture has many symbols, of things that stand for somethings or show reactions and emotions.

Some parts are adopted from: https://medium.com/@beautehealthy/what-is-culture-types-of-culture-elements-of-culture-characteristics-of-culture-7b4d65caddc7

https://www.thoughtco.com/culture-definition-4135409