Culture

Culture is a term that refers to a large and diverse set of mostly intangible aspects of social life. According to sociologists, culture consists of the values, beliefs, systems of language, communication, and practices that people share in common and that can be used to define them as a collective.

Elements of culture: norms, values, roles and beliefs

Each human culture can be thought of as having these five elements

1. Symbols. These are anything that carries particular meaning recognised by people who share the same culture. For example, a cross worn on a chain is a symbol of Christian religious beliefs and a shirt with a particular colour and crest may show that the person wearing it supports a particular football team. Some countries have national symbols. ( Religion symbols, etc)

2. Language. A system of symbols with sounds and words carrying meanings that allows people to communicate with one another.

3. Values. These are standards of what is considered good and right that act as guides for what people should think and believe and how they should act. Many people claim to have their own values but these will be shared with others.

4. Beliefs. These are statements that people hold to be true. They are more specific than values.

5.Norms. These are the kinds of behaviour that a society expects of its members in particular situations. Sometimes norms are divided into two types, mores and folkways. More are norms that are widely observed and carry more of a sense of what is right or wrong. Folkways are norms for routine, casual social interaction. Norms that are widely accepted and continue over time are sometimes called customs. In addition, some norms are given extra weight by being used as the basis for rules, regulations and laws. Norms are usually enforced by informal means, laws by formal means.