characteristics of culture Flashcards
Culture does not exist in
isolation. It is a product of
society. It develops through
social interaction. No man
can acquire culture without
association with others.
Culture is social because it is the product of our
behavior
Every society has a culture of its
own that differs from other
societies. The culture of every
society is unique by itself.
Cultures are not uniform.
Cultural elements like customs,
traditions, morals, values, and
beliefs are not constant.
culture varies from society to society
Culture is not something that an
individual alone can possess.
Culture, in sociological sense, is
shared. For example, people of
a society share all customs,
traditions, beliefs, ideas, values,
morals, etc.
culture is shared
Culture is not inborn. It is learned.
Unlearned behavior then, is not culture.
Shaking hands, saying thanks, etc. are
cultural behaviors. Not all behaviors
are learned, but most of these can be.
Combing hair, standing in line, telling
jokes, criticizing the president, and
going to movies all constitute behaviors
that need to be learned.
culture is learned
Cultural ways are learned by people from
others. Many of these ways are handed down
from elders, parents, teachers, and others
(most likely individuals of older generation),
while other cultural behaviors are handed up to
elders. Transmission of culture is made
possible by language. Language is the main
vehicle of culture. Transmission of culture may
take place also through imitation as well as
through instruction.
Culture is transmitted among members of society
Culture exists as a continuous process. In
its historical growth, it tends to become
cumulative. Ralph Linton called culture
“the social heritage” of man. No culture
ever remains constant or permanent. It is
subject to slow but constant variation.
Likewise, culture is responsive to the
changing conditions of the physical world;
hence, it is dynamic.
Culture is continuous and cumulative
Culture provides proper opportunities for
the satisfaction of our needs and desires.
Our needs, both biological and social, are
fulfilled in cultural ways. Culture consists
of the intellectual, artistic, and social
ideals, and institutions where members of
the society profess and strive to confirm.
culture is gratifying and idealistic
is the dissemination of
cultural components and traits from one
group or society to another. How our
food is influenced by other cultures is an
example of this.
cultural diffusion
is the process of
adopting the practices and values of
one group but still retaining the
group’s original culture. Religion is an
example of acculturation.
acculturation
is the merging and
converging of cultures to create a
new cultural phenomenon. Migration
is an example of transculturation.
transculturation
3 cultural processes in cultural change
diffusion, acculturation, transculturation
the values of parents are passed down to their children.
In the family, parents serve as the transmitters of values,
habits, beliefs, lifestyles, and social norms. An example
context is how children absorb behaviors exhibited by their
parents when it comes to gender roles or in the behaviors
they practice inside and outside of the house
family
the values of society are taught to prepare children for
adult life. The school, as an agent, transmits societal
values through formal knowledge and social skills. This
will prepare them to be functional adults in the future
school
the values of religion are used to teach belief systems
and some of the beliefs become collective values
religion
the communicated values shown by the media shape
public opinion. The media triggers collective action
from the values it advocates through its channels of
communication
media
