Developing Culture In this lesson you will learn;  What people all around the world have in common.  To understand culture and it’s role with the environment.  To understand the difference between customs and values.  To explain how cultures build on one another and leave a legacy.

What is Culture?  Cultures develop as groups of people work together to meet their basic needs.  Culture can be described as the way people interact with their environment.  Culture includes technology, customs, art and all the ways that it’s people live, think, believe and feel.  Culture varies around the world due to people’s environment.  The types of food people eat, the type of shelter people build, the way people dress and the language they speak are all part of their culture.

Culture around the World

Customs and Values  Customs are social habits or ways of living in a group. Ex. In the United States it is customary for the bride to wear a white wedding dress. In other cultures around the world, it is customary to dress in traditional, bright colors.  Values are the beliefs, or ideals that guide the way people live. This includes religion. Ex. In the United States we treat all people as equals. We have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to privacy. These values helped to shape our government.

The Legacy of Different Cultures  A culture’s legacy is made up of traditions that have developed over many years. A legacy is handed down from one generation to the next. It is what the culture leaves behind for us to learn from and appreciate.  Legacies of the Stone Age include stone tools, domestication of animals, cave paintings, farming.

Time to Review  1. What do all people have in common?  2. Define culture and explain why food, shelter and clothing vary all around the world.  3. Explain the difference between customs and values?  4. List and explain some of your own values and beliefs.  5. Do you think a society can exist for long without shared values?