What is Culture?
Humans are social creatures. Since the dawn of Homo sapiens nearly 250,000 years ago, people have grouped together into communities in order to survive. Living together, people form common habits and behaviors-from specific methods of child-rearing to preferred techniques for obtaining food.
Almost every human behavior, from shopping to marriage to expressions of feelings, is learned.
Behavior-based on learned customs is not a bad thing. Being familiar with unwritten rules helps people feel secure and "normal." Most people want to live their daily lives confident that their behaviors will not be challenged or disrupted. But even actions as seemingly simple as commuting to work evidence a great deal of cultural propriety.
Culture consists of thoughts for example expectations about personal space, and tangible things like bus stops, trains, and seating capacity. Material culture refers to the objects or belongings of a group of people. Metro passes and bus tokens are part of Material culture, as are automobiles, stores, and the physical structures where people worship. Nonmaterial culture, in contrast, consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society. Material and nonmaterial aspects of culture are linked, and physical objects often symbolize cultural ideas.
Clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry are part of Material culture, but the appropriateness of wearing certain clothing for specific events reflects Nonmaterial culture. A school building belongs to Material culture, but the teaching methods and educational standards are part of education's Nonmaterial culture. These material and nonmaterial aspects of culture can vary subtly from region to region. As we interact with cultures other than our own, we become more aware of the differences and commonalities between others' worlds and our own.
Often, a comparison of one culture to another will reveal obvious differences. But all cultures share common elements. Cultural universals are patterns or traits that are globally common to all societies. Humor seems to be a universal way to release tensions and create a sense of unity among people. Sociologists consider Humor necessary to human interaction because it helps individuals navigate otherwise tense situations.
Almost every human behavior, from shopping to marriage to expressions of feelings, is learned.
Behavior-based on learned customs is not a bad thing. Being familiar with unwritten rules helps people feel secure and "normal." Most people want to live their daily lives confident that their behaviors will not be challenged or disrupted. But even actions as seemingly simple as commuting to work evidence a great deal of cultural propriety.
Culture consists of thoughts for example expectations about personal space, and tangible things like bus stops, trains, and seating capacity. Material culture refers to the objects or belongings of a group of people. Metro passes and bus tokens are part of Material culture, as are automobiles, stores, and the physical structures where people worship. Nonmaterial culture, in contrast, consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society. Material and nonmaterial aspects of culture are linked, and physical objects often symbolize cultural ideas.
Clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry are part of Material culture, but the appropriateness of wearing certain clothing for specific events reflects Nonmaterial culture. A school building belongs to Material culture, but the teaching methods and educational standards are part of education's Nonmaterial culture. These material and nonmaterial aspects of culture can vary subtly from region to region. As we interact with cultures other than our own, we become more aware of the differences and commonalities between others' worlds and our own.
Often, a comparison of one culture to another will reveal obvious differences. But all cultures share common elements. Cultural universals are patterns or traits that are globally common to all societies. Humor seems to be a universal way to release tensions and create a sense of unity among people. Sociologists consider Humor necessary to human interaction because it helps individuals navigate otherwise tense situations.