Culture Questions Define culture in your own words. Briefly describe your own culture.

The Elements of Culture

I. Defining Culture A. Culture is the total knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group.

II. Culture Change and Exchange A. Taking existing technology and resources to create something new to meet a need is called innovation. B. The Spread of ideas inventions or patterns is called Diffusion.

C. Individuals in a society must decide whether the innovation is useful and consistent with its basic principles. 1. Acculturation occurs when a society changes because it accepts or adopts an innovation.

III. Language Language helps establish a cultural identity. 1. It builds a group identity and a sense of unity among those who speak the language. 2. Language can also divide people.

B. Versions of a language are called dialects. C. Like other aspects of culture, language can be diffused in many ways

IV. Religion Monotheistic, a belief in one god A. There are three categories of religions. Monotheistic, a belief in one god polytheistic, a belief in many gods. animistic, or traditional, often with belief in divine forces in nature.