Culture is a central concept in sociology. It includes the shared ways of life of people—beliefs, values, norms, language, customs, knowledge, art, and technology. Culture is learned and passed from one generation to another through socialization. This unit explains the meaning and elements of culture, types of culture, how culture changes, and the concept of cultural lag (very common exam question).
Culture refers to the total way of life of a society. It includes both:
Culture tells people:
“Culture is the learned and shared way of life of a group or society.”
The main elements of culture are:
Language Language is the medium of communication and a key carrier of culture. It helps transmit values, knowledge and traditions.
Beliefs Beliefs are ideas about what is true or real (religious beliefs, social beliefs).
Values Values are ideals considered good and desirable (honesty, respect, equality).
Norms Norms are rules of behavior that guide daily life (queueing, greeting, dress codes).
Customs and traditions Customs are established practices followed by a community (festivals, rituals).
Symbols Symbols represent meanings (national flag, religious signs, uniforms).
Knowledge and technology Knowledge includes science and practical skills; technology includes tools and methods of doing work.
Art and literature Music, dance, painting, stories and literature express cultural life.
Values are broad ideals (e.g., discipline, honesty). They define what is important.
Norms are specific rules for behavior (e.g., do not cheat in exams).
Customs are long-established social practices (e.g., greeting elders).
Material culture includes physical objects created by humans. Examples: houses, roads, mobile phones, books, clothing, machines.
Non-material culture includes ideas and ways of thinking. Examples: beliefs, values, norms, laws, language, religion, ideology.
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Culture is a central concept in sociology. It includes the shared ways of life of people—beliefs, values, norms, language, customs, knowledge, art, and technology. Culture is learned and passed from one generation to another through socialization. This unit explains the meaning and elements of culture, types of culture, how culture changes, and the concept of cultural lag (very common exam question).
Culture refers to the total way of life of a society. It includes both:
Culture tells people:
“Culture is the learned and shared way of life of a group or society.”
The main elements of culture are:
Language Language is the medium of communication and a key carrier of culture. It helps transmit values, knowledge and traditions.
Beliefs Beliefs are ideas about what is true or real (religious beliefs, social beliefs).
Values Values are ideals considered good and desirable (honesty, respect, equality).
Norms Norms are rules of behavior that guide daily life (queueing, greeting, dress codes).
Customs and traditions Customs are established practices followed by a community (festivals, rituals).
Symbols Symbols represent meanings (national flag, religious signs, uniforms).
Knowledge and technology Knowledge includes science and practical skills; technology includes tools and methods of doing work.
Art and literature Music, dance, painting, stories and literature express cultural life.
Values are broad ideals (e.g., discipline, honesty). They define what is important.
Norms are specific rules for behavior (e.g., do not cheat in exams).
Customs are long-established social practices (e.g., greeting elders).
Material culture includes physical objects created by humans. Examples: houses, roads, mobile phones, books, clothing, machines.
Non-material culture includes ideas and ways of thinking. Examples: beliefs, values, norms, laws, language, religion, ideology.
Relationship: material culture often changes faster than non-material culture.
Common types discussed in basic sociology:
This reduces prejudice and supports tolerance.
Cultural change means change in beliefs, values, norms, customs, and material life of a society over time.
Exam tip: write definition + one example in a table.
Cultural lag is a concept given by William F. Ogburn. It means that material culture changes faster than non-material culture, and society takes time to adjust its values, laws, and norms to new technology.
Values are general goals/ideals (what we believe is good). Norms are specific rules (how we should behave). Values support norms, and norms protect values.
Cultural change is natural and continuous. Cultural lag happens when society’s rules and attitudes do not keep up with new technology, causing problems until adjustment occurs.
From this topic
Elements of culture include:
(Any three elements can be written with brief explanation.)
Material and non-material culture differ as follows:
(Any three differences can be written.)
Culture refers to the learned and shared total way of life of a society. It includes both material aspects like tools and technology and non-material aspects like beliefs, values and norms. Culture is not inherited biologically; it is learned through socialization and is passed from one generation to another.
The main elements of culture are as follows.
Firstly, language is an important element because it is the medium of communication. Through language, knowledge, values and traditions are transmitted.
Secondly, beliefs are ideas about what is true or real. Beliefs may be religious, moral or social and they influence behavior.
Thirdly, values are ideals considered good and desirable, such as honesty, respect and equality. Values guide people’s judgments and goals.
Fourthly, norms are rules of behavior that people are expected to follow. Norms may be informal (greeting elders) or formal (laws).
Fifthly, customs and traditions are long-established practices like festivals, rituals and ceremonies. They provide continuity and unity.
Sixthly, symbols are things that represent meanings, such as the national flag, religious symbols or uniforms.
Finally, knowledge and technology are part of culture. Knowledge includes scientific and practical understanding and technology includes tools and methods of doing work.
Thus, culture is the foundation of social life, and its elements shape the behavior and identity of individuals in society.