Culture consists of the

beliefs, behaviors, objects,

and other characteristics
common to the members
of a particular group or
society.
 Culture is essential for our individual
survival and communication with others
 We are not born with the information

we need to survive
 Culture is essential for the survival of

societies
 It establishes our laws and rules for

interaction
  Nature is our biological and genetic makeup
 Nurture is derived from our social environment
 We are not born knowing kindness or hatred
 Humans do not have instincts but we do have

reflexes

An instinct is A reflex is Drives are biologically

biologically biologically determined impulses
determined determined common to all members
behaviour patterns involuntary of a species that satisfy
common to all response such needs such as food,
members of a as sneezing water, safety, and
species shelter
Since humans
cannot rely on
instincts for
survival,
culture is a
‘tool kit’ for
survival

Our ‘tool kit’ is divided into two parts

 Consists of the physical or tangible creations
that members of a society make, use, and share
 Items begin as raw materials and transformed

into usable items through technology

 We use these items first for survival such as

shelter
 Beyond survival, we make use and share objects

that are interesting and important to us

 Consists of the abstract or intangible human
creations of society that influence people’s
behaviour
Family
Values Patterns
Language

Rules of
Political Beliefs Behaviou
Systems r
 Central component of nonmaterial
culture is beliefs
 Beliefs are the mental acceptance or

conviction that certain things are real

or true
 May be based on faith, tradition,

experience, scientific research, or a

combination of these
All human beings face the
same basic needs such as
food, water, and shelter
Thus we engage in similar

activities that contribute to

our survival
Appearance
such as
bodily
adornment
and
hairstyles
 Activities
such as
sports,
games,
dancing, and
jokes
o
fish s
y a r e
Q. W h
smart? lways go
ya
A. The s c ho ols.
in
around
 Social
institution
such as
religion, law,
and family
 Customary
practices such
as cooking,
folklore, gift
giving, and
hospitality
 These general customs and
practices may be present in all
cultures in one form or another
 Specific forms may vary and could

be misinterpreted between
cultures such as telling a joke
 Considered useful because they ensure a
smooth and continual operation of society
 Society must satisfy its basic needs and

degree of safety in order to survive

 Children and other new members of

society must be taught the ways of the

group
 Society must settle disputes between its

members
 May not be the result of functional necessity
for a society
 The practices of one society may be imposed

over members of another

 A conquering nation may use its power to

impose its behaviours and beliefs on those

defeated
 Assimilation and conformity of indigenous

peoples by those who hold economic,

political, and religious power