The Concept of Culture
Culture refers to the values, beliefs and traditions that a group of people share. It also includes the music, arts and other aspects that make up a people’s way of life. The term is derived from the Latin word colere, meaning “to cultivate and tend.” For example, one person may have a personal culture of independence and honesty that is fostered by her difficult life experiences and the relationships she has formed with other people. Another person, however, may have a culture that is influenced by her religion and the ways she was raised by her parents.
Anthropologists, sociologists and other scholars study cultures. Some scholars apply a Marxist model to cultural studies, while others use a more ecumenical approach that draws on other theoretical models such as structuralism and pragmatism. Some scholars argue that cultural models are influenced by historical events and that culture is a dynamic force that continuously changes and evolves.
The concept of culture is important for understanding human behavior. It is a central element in the formation of interpersonal and intercultural relations. In addition, it is a key tool in the development and maintenance of social institutions such as government, business and education. Culture is also a factor in the transmission of knowledge, and it plays a role in human evolution.
According to the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, there are many different cultures within a society. These include regional and ethnic cultures as well as age-related cultures. Each of these have their own unique values, beliefs and traditions. Some people are more influenced by the culture of their family or community while others are more influenced by the culture of their workplace or school.
The term culture is sometimes used to distinguish between the social and economic classes of a society. Historically, this distinction was made through a contrast between civilized culture and the state of nature outlined by philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Some researchers argue that modern Western culture is characterized by individualism, materialism and consumerism. These trends have led to a growing environmental crisis. Other scholars point to the fact that different cultural values directly influence environmental priorities. For example, a culture that places value on collectivism and spirituality is likely to have lower consumption rates than a culture that emphasizes individualism. It is also more likely to be environmentally sustainable.
Culture refers to the values, beliefs and traditions that a group of people share. It also includes the music, arts and other aspects that make up a people’s way of life. The term is derived from the Latin word colere, meaning “to cultivate and tend.” For example, one person may have a personal culture of independence and honesty that is fostered by her difficult life experiences and the relationships she has formed with other people. Another person, however, may have a culture that is influenced by her religion and the ways she was raised by her parents. Anthropologists, sociologists and other scholars study cultures. Some scholars apply a Marxist model to cultural studies, while others use a more ecumenical approach that draws on other theoretical models such as structuralism and pragmatism. Some scholars argue that cultural models are influenced by historical events and that culture is a dynamic force that continuously changes and evolves. The concept of culture is important for understanding human behavior. It is a central element in the formation of interpersonal and intercultural relations. In addition, it is a key tool in the development and maintenance of social institutions such as government, business and education. Culture is also a factor in the transmission of knowledge, and it plays a role in human evolution. According to the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, there are many different cultures within a society. These include regional and ethnic cultures as well as age-related cultures. Each of these have their own unique values, beliefs and traditions. Some people are more influenced by the culture of their family or community while others are more influenced by the culture of their workplace or school. The term culture is sometimes used to distinguish between the social and economic classes of a society. Historically, this distinction was made through a contrast between civilized culture and the state of nature outlined by philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Some researchers argue that modern Western culture is characterized by individualism, materialism and consumerism. These trends have led to a growing environmental crisis. Other scholars point to the fact that different cultural values directly influence environmental priorities. For example, a culture that places value on collectivism and spirituality is likely to have lower consumption rates than a culture that emphasizes individualism. It is also more likely to be environmentally sustainable.