The Elements of Culture and How They Define a Group of People - Case Study Example

s Elements of Culture Introduction Culture refers to the way of life for a particular group people. It includes the beliefs, behavior, values, social standards and symbols that a community of people holds on to without putting effort to practice them. This behavior comes almost subconsciously. They are passed down from one generation to another through imitation or communication (Mahadi & Jafari 232). It is behavior that is learned and passed socially and is a product of human thoughts and work. The behavior patterns and symbols are the elements of culture and are distinct in every community. Culture also varies with time where communities adapt some elements and drop others. Below I shall discuss the elements of culture and how they define a group of people. Language This is one of most important element of culture as it facilitates communication among the members of a community. It is a reflection of all other aspects of culture, and it allows the formation of culture among human beings (Andersen & Taylor 59). For a person to fit in a particular group there has to be communication, and this can only be possible if one understands the language that those people are using. That is the reason immigrants into the United States who come from non-English speaking countries find it difficult to cope until they learn to communicate in English. Even in the professions, there are different languages used by various occupations. For example, the lawyers have their language, and the medics have their language. There is also the terminology that socialists use, and for you to understand it, you have to learn it. Just like the times evolve, language too changes with time. As the technology evolves by the day, language too evolves and you may find people using technology-related terminology such as IM while communicating. Language can be diffused just like other elements of culture, and this is necessary for communication. The blended language can aid communication between people speaking different languages. Language identifies an individual with a particular group and creates a sense of togetherness for persons speaking the same language. On the other hand, language can also divide people where people speak different languages in one area. The conflict would arise where one language is given preference to the other. Symbols In every culture, there are symbols that represent important aspects of that culture. When people share a culture, there are specific meanings that they attach to different gestures, images, sounds or objects. Culture by its very nature is symbolic, and one can, therefore, interpret the culture of a group of people by looking at their symbols. Symbols are important in the manifestation of a culture when the people can relate the symbol to the qualities it represents. Every symbol that identifies with a particular culture must have some relevance to the culture and should also be able to show the relationship between the symbol and the event being described. Symbols also enhance social interaction and invoke various emotions and reactions. Symbols represent the identity of a group of people and may have different meanings in different communities. For example, in the American culture, there is the use of emoticons that combine different characters on the keyboard to define how a person feels at a particular time. In Christianity, there is the cross that is the basis of Christianity. To someone else, a cross is just two pieces of wood put together or an object of execution in traditional Jewish society, but to the Christian, the significance of this symbol is different. The flag is a representation of a belief in the country or organization. In America, the flag is not just a piece of cloth but it is a symbol of national unity, freedom and democracy. Norms Norms dictate how a person is expected to behave in a particular community. There are those who avoid doing things because it is against the norms of a particular community. There are both formal and informal norms, and both are important. In the American culture, every person is expected to obey the traffic laws. Norms guide the behavior of an individual. For example, there is a certain degree of table manners that one is expected to meet. Norms may be abstract, but they define what is beautiful or ugly, good or bad, and right or wrong (Andersen & Taylor 60). Norms vary in different societies, and what is acceptable in one culture is not acceptable in another. For example, in America, it is not acceptable to stand less than three feet from a person as you talk to them unless there is an intimate relationship going on. On the other hand, in Italy, such a distance would be an indication that you dislike the person you are talking to. When two people from these two nationalities meet, one would feel comfortable with the distance while another would be uncomfortable about it. When people go to places with different cultural norms to what they believe to be standard, there is a tension, and it is agonizing trying to adapt to the new culture (Heyer 630). Religion and beliefs Religion is also another aspect of culture that defines a group of people. It is an expression of people’s belief in a supernatural power, who is the creator of the universe. One can identify people who hold similar beliefs by their practices. Religion plays a great role in maintaining social control, and it also contributes to better social relationships in a community that is religious (Sasaki & Kim 403). At times, it is the central aspect of culture, and it is thus an important element of culture. It is religion that establishes the values and beliefs that define the way of worship for a group of people. It also defines the acceptable way in which people should relate to and behave around each other. The three recognized categories of religion are: Monotheistic (the belief in one god), Polytheistic (the belief in more than one god) and animistic (the belief in the divine forces of nature). People adopt a religious culture through conversion where they give up what they initially believed in to a new belief. The main religious beliefs in the world today are Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Values Values shape the norms in a society and are thus an important aspect of culture. They are the basis of judgment on what is desirable and what is not desirable in a society. They refer to those things that according to a particular society are of great worth and should be achieved. The American culture, for example, is based on competition and individualism. In this regard, there are numerous lawsuits to challenge then malpractices in the society unlike the Japanese culture that insists on harmonious living. It is not common to find frivolous lawsuits in this regard. However, even though cultural values may point to a particular way, in practice this may be different (Baniasadi & Dastmalchian 2). The reason for this difference is that the society is not static and through interaction with people from different cultures, there are factors that influence the change. Conclusion People express their cultures through different ways. These ways include arts and literature. Through music, film, theater and dance, people express their culture. The styles of doing these things are different from one community to another. There are also visual arts that include sculpture, textiles, and architecture that indicate the cultural themes of the community. Literature, both oral and written, is also an aspect of expressing the cultural beliefs in the community. These include: stories, poems and folktales and they indicate the behavior and attitude of a community. The elements of culture are distinctive ways of identifying with a group of people. Each culture is unique and the way the members of one community express themselves is different from the way others express their cultural beliefs. There are different cultures and the ways that each community expresses itself is different. Through interaction, we can find a person exhibiting cultural elements that they have not grown up with, but have acquired. There are those elements that are easier to adapt than others. Cultures are not static and change over time and are often a mixture of past and present practices. Works Cited Andersen, Margaret L., and Howard Francis Taylor. Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. Print. Baniasadi, Hossein, and Ali Dastmalchian. "The Differentiating Characteristics Of Societal Cultures: An Examination Of Societal Values, Practices And Potential For Change." Journal Of Comparative International Management 17.1 (2014): 1- 13. Business Source Complete. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. Heyer, Gretchen. "Caught Between Cultures: Cultural Norms In Jungian Psychodynamic Process." Journal Of Analytical Psychology 57.5 (2012): 629- 644. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. Mahadi, Tengku.S., & Jafari, M. Sepideh. ”Language and Culture.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(17), 230-235 Sasaki, Joni Y., and Heejung S. Kim. "At The Intersection Of Culture And Religion: A Cultural Analysis Of Religions Implications For Secondary Control And Social Affiliation." Journal Of Personality & Social Psychology 101.2 (2011): 401-414. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. Read More