Notes

Culture is a word that we often come across. We are all part of a culture, we are often intrigued by other cultures, and culture is an integral determinant of who we are as individuals. So, what exactly is it then? Simply put, culture is the unique characteristics of a group of people. Culture is made up of many elements, some more obvious than others. Culture is the clothes we wear, the language we speak, the food we eat. Culture is our customs, our beliefs, and our values. It is part and parcel of our religious beliefs, superstitions, philosophy, and mythology.

Culture determines what is acceptable and unacceptable in any society. Social norms are borne out of culture. It is manifested through our art, music, dance, architecture, technologies, and writings. Holidays such as Halloween and Christmas are part of a larger culture. And within that culture, there are smaller cultures which have their own behaviors and norms.

Culture is so important to society because culture is constructed by society. A person can't understand one without the other because one shapes the other, the way people interact with one another and perceive their environment is all a part of culture.


Culture reflects the inner workings of an individual society. For example culture helps to define social situations so people understand how to behave based on that society's cultural norms. For example when an individual goes to a dinner party in the United States, it is customary to bring a host or hostess gift. Culture also defines values, influences personality development and influences career choices. If culture didn't define values, or what is considered right and wrong within the society, then there would be social discord and the society would fail.

Society could not function without cultural norms that assist in governing behavior and values, and culture could not exist without societal influences to create it. They must coexist in order for humans to exist in an organized manner. It is important to note that culture can, and does, change over time as societal norms change, but the members of that society govern that change so the individual members of the society have a level of control over the culture.