2. Characteristics of Culture
The Concept of Culture
Culture is Learned
Culture is Shared
Culture is Based on Symbols
Culture Gives Meaning to Reality
Functions of Culture
Culture and Change
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
3. SuperstructureSuperstructure: A culture’s worldview,
including morals and values,
oftentimes grounded in religion
Social structureSocial structure: The rule-governed
relationships—with all their rights and
obligations—that hold members of a society
together. This includes households,
families, associations, and power relations,
including politics.
InfrastructureInfrastructure: The economic
foundation of a society,
including its subsistence
practices and the tools and
other material equipment used
to make a living.
The Barrel Model of
Culture
What is Culture?
4. What is Culture?
The beliefs and behaviors of a society
Culture consists of abstract ideas, values, and
perceptions of the world that inform and are reflected
in people’s behavior
Culture is the lens through which we view our world,
it “invents” our reality
6. 7 Elements of Culture
1.1. Social OrganizationSocial Organization
-When a culture organize its members into
smaller groups
What might some smaller groups be in a culture?
Families
Friends
Religious groups
Social classes
Occupation
Interest groups
These are things that all cultures have in common.These are things that all cultures have in common.
What might some of those things be?What might some of those things be?
7. 1.1. Social OrganizationSocial Organization
- family: the most importantmost 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 fams.
7 Elements of Culture
8. 1.1. Social OrganizationSocial Organization, cont.
- social classes: a way to rank people in
order of status
What can social class be based on?
Money
Occupation
Education
Race
Etc.
7 Elements of Culture
9. 7 Elements of Culture
2. Customs and TraditionsCustoms and Traditions
- rules of behavior (written and unwritten)
11. 4. Arts and LiteratureArts and Literature
- teach about a culture’s values
- promote cultural pride and unity
7 Elements of Culture
12. 5.5. ReligionReligion
Monotheism: belief in one god
Polytheism: belief in more than one god
Major World Religions
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism
7 Elements of Culture
13. 6. Forms of GovernmentForms of Government
People form governments to provide for their
common needs
Types
Democracy: people have supreme power
Republic: people choose leaders to represent them
Dictatorship: a ruler or group holds power by force
7 Elements of Culture
White House
Great Britain’s
Houses of
Parliament
14. 7.7. Economic SystemsEconomic Systems
Four types
1. Traditional: people produce most of what they
need to survive
2. Market: basic economic questions are
answered by buying/selling goods and services
3. Command: government controls answers to
economic questions
4. Mixed: individuals make some economic
decisions, the government makes others
7 Elements of Culture
15. Ways Cultures Change
1. Technology
Cars, telephone, computers, TV dinners
1. Environment Changes
3. New Ideas (like recycling)
4. Diffusion: movement of customs and
ideas from one place to another
16. Be Careful of…
Ethnocentrism: judging other cultures by
the standards of your own
Assuming your own culture to be the best
Racism: belief that one racial group is
naturally superior to another
Race is a culture thing. It does not actually, physically
exist.