Culture: Elements, Types, Cultural Change and Cultural Lag Questions

Question 1

Define culture.

Accepted Answer

Culture is the learned and shared total way of life of a society, including beliefs, values, norms, customs and material objects.

Question 2

What is material culture?

Accepted Answer

Material culture refers to the physical objects and technology created by humans, such as tools, machines, buildings and clothing.

Question 3

State the meaning of non-material culture.

Accepted Answer

Non-material culture includes ideas and beliefs such as values, norms, customs, language and laws of a society.

Question 4

Who gave the concept of cultural lag?

Accepted Answer

William F. Ogburn.

Question 5

What is meant by cultural diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural traits from one society or group to another through contact.

Question 6

Explain any three elements of culture.

Accepted Answer

Elements of culture include:

1) Language: medium of communication and carrier of culture.
2) Values and norms: values are ideals (honesty), and norms are rules of behavior.
3) Customs and traditions: established practices like festivals and rituals.

(Any three elements can be written with brief explanation.)

Question 7

Differentiate between material culture and non-material culture (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Material and non-material culture differ as follows:

1) Material culture includes physical objects like machines, buildings and tools, whereas non-material culture includes ideas like values, norms and beliefs.
2) Material culture is visible and tangible, whereas non-material culture is invisible and intangible.
3) Material culture often changes faster (technology), whereas non-material culture changes slowly (attitudes, laws).

(Any three differences can be written.)

Question 8

Differentiate between folkways and mores with examples.

Accepted Answer

Folkways are everyday norms and customs of society. If someone violates folkways, the reaction is usually mild disapproval. Example: table manners or dress style.

Mores are strong moral norms related to right and wrong. Violation of mores is seriously condemned and may invite severe punishment. Example: theft, corruption, or serious cheating.

Thus, folkways are mild norms and mores are strong moral norms.

Question 9

Write a short note on cultural change (meaning and any two causes).

Accepted Answer

Cultural change means change in beliefs, values, norms, customs and material life of a society over time.

Causes of cultural change include:
1) Technological change such as internet and smartphones.
2) Education and urbanization which change thinking and lifestyle.

(Any two causes can be written with brief explanation.)

Question 10

Explain culture and its main elements.

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Explain cultural change and the processes of diffusion, acculturation and assimilation.

Accepted Answer

Cultural change refers to changes in the material and non-material aspects of culture such as values, norms, beliefs, customs, lifestyle and technology. Culture changes due to many factors like technological development, education, urbanization, migration, mass media and globalization.

There are different processes through which cultural change takes place.

Diffusion is the spread or borrowing of cultural traits from one group or society to another. For example, adoption of jeans, pizza or smartphones in different societies is due to diffusion.

Acculturation occurs when two cultures come into continuous contact and one group adopts some traits of the other. For example, migrants may adopt the local language and food habits while still maintaining some of their original traditions.

Assimilation is a deeper process in which different cultural groups gradually merge and the separate identity of a group reduces. Over time, the minority group may completely adopt the host culture in language, lifestyle and practices.

Thus, diffusion is borrowing of traits, acculturation is adoption due to contact, and assimilation is deeper merging. These processes explain how culture changes in society.

Question 12

Explain cultural lag with suitable examples.

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag is a concept given by William F. Ogburn. It means that material culture, especially technology, changes rapidly, while non-material culture such as values, norms, laws and social attitudes changes slowly. Because of this difference in speed, society faces a period of maladjustment until non-material culture catches up.

Cultural lag happens because inventions and innovations spread quickly, but changing people’s attitudes, moral values, and legal rules takes time. Many people also resist change due to tradition and fear of new practices.

Examples of cultural lag can be seen in modern life. Social media and smartphones developed very fast, but rules about privacy, cyber laws, and awareness about fake news and online harassment took time to develop. Similarly, online payments increased rapidly, but many people lacked cyber safety awareness, leading to frauds and scams.

Another example is the growth of AI tools. AI is developing quickly, but ethical rules, job security policies, and guidelines to prevent bias and misuse are still developing.

Thus, cultural lag explains the gap between rapid technological change and slow adjustment of social values and laws, which creates social problems until society adapts.

Question 13

Define cultural lag.

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag is the delay that occurs when non-material culture (values, norms, laws) does not change as fast as material culture (technology).

Question 14

Differentiate between diffusion and acculturation (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Diffusion and acculturation are processes of cultural change.

1) Diffusion is the spread/borrowing of cultural traits from one culture to another, whereas acculturation is adoption of traits due to continuous contact between cultures.
2) Diffusion can occur indirectly through media and trade without living together, whereas acculturation usually occurs through long-term contact such as migration or colonization.
3) In diffusion, only some traits may be borrowed, whereas in acculturation a group may adopt several traits like language, dress or food habits.

(Any three differences can be written.)

Question 15

Write any three causes of cultural change.

Accepted Answer

Causes of cultural change include:

1) Technological change (new inventions like internet and smartphones).
2) Education and spread of scientific thinking.
3) Urbanization, industrialization and migration that change lifestyle and attitudes.

(Any three causes can be written.)

Culture: Elements, Types, Cultural Change and Cultural Lag

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