TOPIC 2 In essence, culture is what makes human societies

Definition of Culture: unique, and it encompasses everything from our

beliefs and values to the things we create and use
Culture is what makes humans different from in our daily lives.
animals.
It's a heritage passed from one generation to the
next.
It includes all aspects of how a group of people
live.
Key Characteristics of Culture:

Social: Culture is shaped through interaction within

a society. It's shared among its members.
Learned Behavior: Culture is not something people
are born with; it's learned from their society.

Transmitted: Culture is passed from generation to

generation, mainly through language.
Satisfies Needs: Culture provides ways to satisfy
both biological and social needs.
Varies Between Societies: Different societies have
unique cultures, with varying values, customs, and
beliefs.
Continuous and Cumulative: Culture keeps evolving
and adding new traits.
Dynamic: It changes over time but at different
rates.
Types of Culture:
Material Culture: Includes man-made objects and
physical things, like buildings and technology.
Non-Material Culture: Encompasses beliefs, values,
language, and social behaviors.
Elements of Culture:

Cognitive Elements: Knowledge about the physical

and social world.
Beliefs: Shared spiritual or cultural convictions.
Values and Norms: Measures of goodness or
desirability and the associated behaviors.
Symbols: Things or gestures used to represent
ideas or events.
Language: A system of words used for
communication.

Cultural Lag:
It's the delay or imbalance between changes in
material culture (technology, tools) and non-
material culture (beliefs, customs).
For example, people may adopt new technology
while keeping traditional beliefs, creating a gap
between the two.