CULTURE

Material Culture

Physical objects, resources, and spaces people use to define their culture (e.g., homes, schools, churches, tools, factories, goods).

Non-material Culture

Nonphysical ideas about culture, including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations, and institutions.

Subculture

A culture that exists within a larger culture. It does not reject all the values and practices of the larger society and generally does not threaten society.

Counterculture

A subculture that rejects the values and norms of the larger society and replaces them with its own cultural patterns.

Ideal Culture

Cultural guidelines publicly embraced by members of a society; the way people describe their way of life.

Real Culture

The actual behavior of people in society in their daily lives.

Symbols

Illustrations used to represent a particular meaning. They shape communication, thoughts, ideas, and define a society's culture.

Swastika Symbol

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Nazi Germany and lastly Western countries

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism

Symbol of divinity and spirituality.

Nazi Germany

Symbol of German nationalism, antisemitism, and terror.

Western countries

Often viewed as a symbol of racial supremacism.

Language

A set of symbols used for verbal and non-verbal communication. It enables people to share ideas, experiences, knowledge, and culture from one generation to another.

Values

Broad ideas about what is good or desirable, shared by members of a society.

Example of Values

Freedom (rights)

Former Soviet Union (Freedom)

Right to a job, medical care, and education.

America (rights)

Right to free speech, assembly, private enterprise, and representative government.

Norms

Rules that define appropriate and inappropriate behavior and guide social behavior.

Folkways

Everyday customs with little moral importance (e.g., shaking hands, being on time).

Mores

Norms with great moral importance that are essential to society's well-being; violation brings strong disapproval; Taboo

Taboo

A serious moral rule whose violation receives strong punishment.

Laws

Norms that are formally defined and enforced by authorities.