Elements of Culture

Four Elements of Culture

What is Culture?

Culture is everything that makes up a person or group’s way of life

There are various elements found in any culture. What might some of those elements be?

Geography Religion Economy Government

Let’s look at these elements more closely….. Geography – Impacts the development of

culture

Four Elements of Culture

Religion

* Monotheism – belief in only one god

* Polytheism – belief in more than one god

Four Elements of Culture Economic systems

* The system of production, distribution and consumption

* What does this mean?

Four Elements of Culture

Government

* People form governments to provide for their common needs

Four Elements of Culture Social Organizations –

When a culture organizes itself into groups

What might some smaller groups be? Families Friends Religious groups Social classes Occupations Interest groups

Four Elements of Culture Social organizations (cont.)

Families: the most 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 families

Four Elements of Culture

Social organizations (cont.) Social classes – a way to rank people in order of

status depending on what is important to culture

What can social class be based on? Money Occupation Education Race Etc.

Four Elements of Culture

Ways culture can change - Cultural Diffusion – movement of customs and ideas from one place to another. Diffusion occurs two ways:

- peaceful means – trade- violent means - war

- Technology – cars, telephones, internet

Four Elements of Culture

Be careful of……

EnthnocentrismEnthnocentrism – judging other cultures by the standards of your own

Assuming your own culture to be the best!

Racism Racism – belief that one racial group is naturally superior to another