Culture can be defined in many ways. For example, it can be seen as general patterns of behavior and interaction, cognitive constructions and understandings that are learned through socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the development of a group identity created by social structures unique to the group.
What is culture
This concept combines religion, education, etiquette, upbringing, material and spiritual development of people, their achievements in various activities. Culture encompasses a whole range of knowledge and skills that are specific to groups of people, spanning language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, art, and more.
Elements of culture
Culture can be defined as the collection of symbols, languages, beliefs, values and artifacts that are part of any society. As this definition suggests, there are two main components of culture: ideas and symbols on the one hand, and artifacts (material objects) on the other hand.other.
The first type, called non-material culture, includes the values, beliefs, symbols, and language that define a society. The second type, called material culture, includes all the physical objects of society, such as its tools and technologies, clothing, utensils, and vehicles.
Symbols
Every culture is filled with symbols or things that have a specific meaning and often evoke different reactions and emotions. Some symbols are actually types of non-verbal communication, while others are material objects. As emphasized by the symbolic perspective of interaction, shared symbols make social interaction possible.
For example, non-verbal categories include the handshake, which is traditional in some societies but never used in others. In every society, there are various gestures, movements of the hands or other parts of the body that are designed to convey certain ideas or emotions. However, the same gesture in different nationalities may have the opposite meaning.
Some of our most important symbols are objects. It can be political (flag) or religious (crucifix).
Common symbols, both non-verbal communication and material objects, are an important part of any culture, but can also lead to misunderstanding and even hostility. These issues highlight their importance for social interaction.
Language
Perhaps the most important character set is language. As long as people agree on how to interpret different words, communication is possible, and therefore society. Likewise, language differences can make communication difficult. This symbol is crucial to communication and therefore to the culture of any society. Children learn the language of their culture in the same way that they learn about handshakes, gestures, the meaning of the flag and other symbols. Humans have an ability for language that other animal species do not. Our communication skills, in turn, provide cultural interaction.
One of the most important events in the evolution of society was the creation of a written language. Some of the pre-industrial societies had a written language, while others did not, in the rest it consisted mainly of images, not words.
Norms
Cultures differ greatly in their norms, standards, or expected behavior. Norms are often divided into two types: formal and informal. The first refers to the standards of behavior that are considered the most important in any society. Examples include traffic rules, the criminal code, student conduct rules, etc.
Informal norms, also called folk customs, refer to standards of behavior that are considered less important but still influence how we behave. A common example of informal norms, as well as everyday behavior, can be how we interact with the cashier and how we ride in the elevator.
Many norms are very different in differentcultures. For example, this is manifested in the distance at which it is customary to stand from each other when talking.
Rituals
Different cultures also have different rituals or set procedures and ceremonies that often mark the transitions from one life stage to another. In this way, rituals reflect and transmit cultural norms and other elements from one generation to the next.
Graduation ceremonies in schools and universities are familiar examples of time-tested rituals. In many societies, rituals help to mark gender identity. For example, girls in many cultures go through various initiation ceremonies to mark their transition to adulthood. Boys also have their own rites of passage, some of which involve circumcision.
Culture as a social phenomenon
Thus, culture can be represented as a phenomenon that combines various aspects of human activity, including self-expression, self-knowledge, accumulation of knowledge and skills. In fact, culture is the totality of everything that man has created, that which does not belong to nature.
Culture can also be seen as an activity, because it has a result. The nature of the latter determines the type of culture. Based on this criterion, the material or spiritual values of society are distinguished.
Material Culture
This type of human culture includes everything that is connected with the material world, provides a person with the satisfaction of primary and vitalneeds. Its main elements are:
- objects (or things), what directly represents material culture (houses, clothes, toys, tools);
- technologies represented by methods and means that allow using items to create new ones;
- technical culture, including practical skills, abilities and abilities, as well as experience that has accumulated over generations.
Spiritual culture
This kind of culture refers to feelings, emotions and intellect. It is represented by the following elements:
- spiritual values (the main element serving as a standard);
- spiritual activity (combining art, science and religion);
- spiritual needs;
- spiritual consumption.
Criteria for classification
Various characteristics serve as a basis for determining which types of culture can be distinguished. For example, based on the relationship of culture to religion, secular and religious spheres can be distinguished, according to the degree of distribution, it can be national or world, based on a geographical criterion - eastern, western, Russian, Latin American, African, Indian, etc. Based on the level of urbanization distinguish between urban and rural cultures. It can also be traditional, industrial, postmodern, medieval, antique, primitive, etc.
Typology
Among the main types of culture can be identifiedseveral.
The main focus of artistic culture is the aesthetic development of the surrounding world, it is formed around art, and beauty is the defining value.
Economic culture is formed by human activity in various areas of the economic sector: production, management, etc., where labor acts as a formative value.
Legal culture refers to activities related to the protection of human rights, the relationship between the individual and society, the state. The fundamental value is the law. To highlight the types of legal culture, its carrier is determined, respectively, the legal culture of society, the individual and the professional group is distinguished.
The formation of political culture occurs when an individual has an active position related to government, attitudes towards certain social groups and political institutions. The main value of political culture is power.
The sphere of physical culture is connected with the improvement of the body and the strengthening of human he alth. There are several types of physical culture:
- physical education;
- professional-applied physical education;
- recreation;
- motor rehabilitation;
- background physical education, adaptive physical education.
Several years ago, sports were also classified as physical culture, but they were separated into a separate category.
The level of ecological culture determines the attitude of a person to nature, it helpsmaintain harmony between man and the environment. The main value that determines the formation of ecological culture is the flora and fauna of the Earth.
The moral culture is based on ethical norms based on traditions, social attitudes, which are fundamental in society. The main value here is morality.
Ethnoterritorial typology
She is regarded as one of the main ones. The culture of socio-ethnic communities includes several components: tribal, national, folk, regional. These types of cultures belong to different peoples and ethnic groups. Modern society is made up of more than 4,000 nationalities that are part of almost two hundred states. Ethnic and national cultures develop under the influence of geographical, climatic, historical, religious and other factors.
Ethnic and folk cultures have similar features. Their origin does not have a specific authorship, the whole nation acts as a subject. Works of culture (epics, myths, legends, fairy tales) are preserved for a long time. The main characteristic is traditionalism.
Shapes
Based on various grounds, types and forms of culture are distinguished. There are three in total:
- High (elitist) culture is made up of art samples created at a high level, forming cultural canons and acting as a model. It is notable for its non-commercial nature, for itsunderstanding requires intellectual decoding. Examples include classical music and literature.
- Mass culture, or pop culture, is characterized by a low level of complexity. It is meant to be consumed by the masses. Characterized by a commercial focus, designed to entertain a large audience.
- Folk culture is distinguished by its non-commercial nature, the absence of specific authors.
At the same time, despite the differences in the nature of these forms of culture, their elements are interacting, interpenetrating and complementary.
