Culture
Introduction
Culture is a very common word that we have heard a lot of times. But still we have very less idea
about culture.
What is culture?
Culture refers to the beliefs, values, behavior and material objects that, together, form a people's
way of life. Culture determines how we view the world around us. Culture is the totality of our
shared language, knowledge, material objects, and behavior.
Components of culture:
Symbols: Symbols are defined as anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by
people who share culture. The meaning of the same symbols varies from society to society.
Language: Language is a system of symbols that allows people to communicate with one
another. It can be either written or spoken or both. Language is the key to cultural transmission.
Values and belief: Values are culturally defined standards by which people judge desirability,
goodness and beauty, and which serve as broad guidelines for social living. Beliefs are specific
statements that people hold to be true.
Norms: Norms are actually the rules. Each and every culture is abided by some norms.
Material Culture: Material culture reflects a society’s values and a society’s technology, the
knowledge that people apply to the task of living in their surroundings.
Aspects of culture:
1. History- Time period and conditions under which a group migrated or immigrated. With
the passing time peoples culture is changing.
2. Social Status Factors – people’s education, occupation, income have also a impact on
their culture.

3. Social Group Interaction Patterns: Intra-group (within group relations) and Inter-group
(between-group relations) people have different way of interaction.
4. Value Orientation – standards by which members of a culture judge their personal actions
and those of others.
5. Language and Communication: in both verbal and Nonverbal way the language of
different culture differ from each other.
6. Family Life Processes – in different culture gender roles, family dynamics are totally
different
7. Healing Beliefs and Practices – attitudes and beliefs about health also vary from one
culture to another.
8. Religion – spiritual beliefs and practices are different depending on the people’s beliefs’.
9. Art and Expressive Forms – art, music, stories, dance, etc. are different from society to
society.
10. Diet/Foods – preferred food eaten by groups.
11. Recreation – activities, sports for leisure, etc.
12. Clothing – types, styles, and extent of body coverings.
Summary:
Each and every people follow a certain culture. It differs from country to country, society to
society or even people to people. It is the way of living of a person or a group of people.