What is culture?

A Good Definition of Culture Culture – From the latin word cultura Means “to cultivate” What do we call culture? – Any information that is transmitted from person to person through direct teaching, imitating, or writing.

Why do we need culture? It guides behavior of the individuals within the culture. – Allows for norms to be set. – Norms Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations

Culture and the Social Sciences Anthropology – Comparative study of past and present cultures Necessary to understand how humans have evolved.

Culture and the Social Sciences Psychology – Social science that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms – It focuses on the individual, not a society – By figuring out how individuals think, you can see how a culture will change over time.

Culture and the Social Sciences History – Study of past events – Why study past events? To see where societies are moving towards. French Revolution American Revolution WWI WWII War in Iraq?

Culture and the Social Sciences Political Science – Examination of the organization and operation of governments. – Why do some cultures desire… Democracy – People vote – Always a majority – Minority is threatened Communism – People vote (usually only 1 candidate) – Equal distribution of everything

Other things Called “Culture” Popular Culture Mainstream society stuff that fades in and out of fashion. Usually… Clothes Music Language Video games Facebook?

So how does the human race evolve into the cultures of the 21 st century?