WHAT IS CULTURE?

• What is a custom?• What examples could be used for El Paso?

29 30Elements of Culture

Way of life of a group of people share beliefs and similar customs.

Things people usually do.

Based on rules for the proper behavior of individuals in particular positions and situations.

Organizations developed by each society to make social roles clear and to take care of social needs.

A set of beliefs about the meaning of life, the nature of the universe, and the existence of the supernatural

How people live together.Rural = countryside Urban = City

People who share similar wealth, power, and prestige are said to belong to the same social class

Culture

Customs

Roles

Institutions

Religion

Rural v. Urban

Social Structure

Culture Pyramid

MRS. DUFFYSEPTEMBER 4TH

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

CULTURE

• Way of life of a group of people share beliefs and similar customs.

• Definition: Shared patterns of learned behavior that are passed on from generation to generation.

WHAT IS CULTURE?

• A people’s way of life, which includes:• Language, literature, art, and music• Beliefs including religion• Customs, including clothes, food, forms of shelter, and

traditions• Institutions, including family, schools, and government.• Technology and material goods

WHAT IS CULTURE? CUSTOMS

• Things people usually do.• Dress• Eat• Celebrate holidays• Turning points in life• Marriage• Parenthood• Death

WHAT IS CULTURE? ROLES

• Based on rules for the proper behavior of individuals in particular positions and situations.

WHAT IS CULTURE? INSTITUTIONS

• Organizations developed by each society to make social roles clear and to take care of social needs

WHAT IS CULTURE? RELIGION

• A set of beliefs about the meaning of life, the nature of the universe, and the existence of the supernatural

WHAT IS CULTURE? RURAL OR URBAN

• How people live together.• Rural = countryside

• Small huts• Simple cottages• farms

• Urban = city• Buildings of steel, concrete, and glass• Hot and cold water• Sewage system• Internet

WHAT IS CULTURE? SOCIAL STRUCTURE

• People who share similar wealth, power, and prestige are said to belong to the same social class

WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE?

Illustrate an exampleof each of the followingterms.

ReligionSocial structureCustomsRoleInstitutionRural or Urban