1. The Meaning of Culture

2. Influences on Human Behavior Reflexes- biologically inherited automatic reactions to physical stimuli Instincts- biologically inherited patterns of behavior to ensure survival Drives- biologically inherited impulses to reduce discomfort Genetics- genes biologically inherited from parents linked to various traits Culture- the shared products social groups create that channel expression of biological characteristics Which has the largest impact?

3. Defining Culture The shared products (material and nonmaterial) of a social group A human creation Learned not inherited Influence a society of people by guiding behavior and relationships Constantly changing because of environmental changes, cultural diffusion, and new discoveries and inventions

4. Cultural Universals All cultures have the same basic elements because they are crucial to upholding society –Language –Social Organization/Family –Beliefs and Values –Customs, Traditions, and Norms –Economy –Government –Arts and Leisure –Technology

5. Language Organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Necessary to communicate other ideas about culture Often linked to a specific culture, as words and symbols reflect values and experiences of a specific group

6. Social Organization and Family People break into groups to meet needs Family = a group of people who are related through marriage, blood, or adoption and who often live together and share economic resources Functions of the family –Regulation of sexual activity –Reproduction –Teaching of culture –Economic and emotional security

7. Beliefs and Values Beliefs = things accepted as true Values = shared beliefs about good/bad and right/wrong Often based on religion (organized beliefs about gods and human existence) –Animism –Theism –Atheism

8. Norms Norms- rules that define behavior and are based on values –Folkways- norms about customary ways of thinking and behaving –Mores- norms of great moral significance Some become laws (defined and enforced by officials) Enforced through rewards and punishments that are formal (sanctions applied by designated authorities) and informal (sanctions applied by most members of the group)

9. Economic and Political Institutions Economic System- a way of organizing scare resources to meet people’s wants and needs Political System- a way of defining laws, distributing power, and meeting a group’s common needs

10. Arts and Leisure Include art, literature, dance, theater, music, crafts, folktales, games, toys, holidays, festivals, etc. Reflect other aspects of culture For education and fun

11. Technology Tools and the skills to use them Often used to make tasks easier and support the economy

12. Cultural Variations Cultural universals are expressed in different ways, so there are cultural variations between societies and within societies Some are ethnocentric (view one’s culture as superior and judge other cultures accordingly) Cultural relativism (judge cultures by their own standards) can help people understand other cultures