Culture - definitions + examples

Define Culture

Refers to the entire way of life of a particular society. It considers the whole system of behaviour and beliefs of a society or group

2 examples of culture

knowledge, language, faith, art, music, fashion, morals, laws, customs, traditions, lifestyle and more.

Define subculture

A culture within a culture. A smaller grouping of people who share distinctive norms and values within a wider culture.

2 examples of subculture

UK examples include age – the youth subculture such as punks or emos; ethnicity – people who do not share British ethnicity and are instead part of another ethnicity which is also common in the UK but not dominant.

Define values

Beliefs and ideas that society sees as important, and that are accepted by the majority of society. They are things that we believe in, strive to achieve and guide our behaviours.

2 examples of values

Examples of values include life, success, honesty, loyalty, hygiene, family, respect.

Define norms

Expected patterns of behaviour that are based on the values of a culture. They are the way values are lived out and seen in everyday life. They are relative and can change over time. Those who do not follow norms are deviant.

2 examples of norms

Examples include wearing clothes in public because we value modesty, eat food with a knife and fork because we value hygiene and manners, join the back of a queue, value of order, politeness and fairness.

Define cultural diversity

The differences and variety found in societies. Cultural diversity can be seen both between culture (intercultural diversity) and within cultures (intracultural diversity) causing a variety of norms and values.

2 examples of cultural diversity

Examples include the cultures of different ethnic groups, age cultures, class cultures, sexual cultures.

Define cultural hybridity

A cross between two or more cultures.

2 examples of cultural hybridity

Best seen in music, fashion and food. People can also adopt hybrid identities, for example second or third generation immigrants.

Define high culture

Cultural products and activities that are seen to have a very high status. Products that represent the highest achievements in humanity.

2 examples of high culture

For example, Shakespeare’s plays which require knowledge, education and interest to understand. Or the ballet or opera which are very expensive to see and are seen as superior to other forms of entertainment due to the exceptional talent they showcase.

Define popular culture

Refers to the cultural products and activities that are enjoyed by the majority of a population. Some argue that these are more shallow activities and therefore inferior to high culture; ‘mass culture’ is a term sometimes used to represent this perceived shallowness and inferiority. Some feel popular culture is manufactured and fake and is a form of brainwashing or ‘dumbing down’ of the masses. The distinction between high and popular culture is becoming less distinct due to social media making things previously perceived as high culture more accessible, for example through producing films of high culture.

2 examples of popular culture

Examples of popular culture include: football, films, television, pop music.

Define consumer culture

Refers to a culture in which consumer goods are widely available, and excessive consumption is normalised. This has partly occurred due to the emphasis on the consumption of goods and services. ‘Conspicuous consumption’ leads to a consumer culture as individuals consume branded goods in an attempt to construct an identity, something which has been emphasised by the media.

2 examples of consumer culture

Examples of a consumer culture involve shopping being a leisure pursuit; debt being normalised and accepted; fast fashion leading to excessive consumption.

Define global culture

Refers to the growing trend of cultural products and activities becoming ‘universal’, where brands, foods, films and other cultural products are identical across many different countries and national cultures lose their distinctiveness. This is linked to globalisation which is the process by which the world becomes more interconnected and activities in different countries influence each other.

2 examples of global culture

Examples of global culture include Nike, Microsoft, Coca-Cola.