Definition and features of culture.
Definition and features of culture.
Define culture. Discuss the characteristics of culture.
Discuss the various elements of culture.
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Definition of culture / Concept of culture:-
The English synonym of the Sanskrit word Culture comes from the Latin word Colere; it means to cultivate. A child learns almost everything from childhood. Then, through practice, the child makes that experience a part of his behavior. Therefore, in the narrow sense, culture is something acquired through experience and practice.
Again, in German, the word Kultur was used in the sense of culture. It means a beautiful journey, house, literature and other good things. This is the broad meaning of culture. In this sense, everything in human life is included in culture.
E. B. Taylor said, as a member of society, every person is informed about various things from society and experiences them. The complex set of all these elements is culture.
Matthew Arnold says, culture is perfection. The overall aspect of human society is guided and revolved through culture.
Malinsky says, culture is a means to fulfill human purposes.
MacIver says, culture is what we are.
Linton says, culture is a set of behaviors.
Analyzing the above statements, it can be said that culture is something that people acquire from society, which is not personal - universal and which carries the identity of various things such as human education - initiation, behavior, customs, traditions, folklore, joy - festivals, general lifestyle - etc.
Features or Characteristics of culture / Elements of culture: -
1. Based on human needs: - Various elements of culture are created for human needs. Elements that are not used for human needs are not considered as cultural elements. People accept certain elements as elements of culture in view of certain needs.
2. Material and intangible elements: - The elements of culture can be divided into two categories - material and intangible elements. Schools, offices, temples - etc. are material elements. On the other hand, intangible elements are mental. The main ones among the intangible elements are - ideals, principles, values, ideas, imagination - etc.
3. Cultural differences in different societies: - Cultural differences can be observed in different societies of the present world. The religious beliefs, customs, ideals - etc. of each society are of different nature. Therefore, the uniqueness of culture can be observed in different societies.
4. Cultural characteristics: - Every human society has some cultural characteristics. These characteristics are developed in order to fulfill the needs of people. For example, the cooking process for the need of food, the process of judging for the need of judgment - etc.
5. Not innate: - Culture is never innate to an individual; It is acquired by a person through education and practice. After a child is born in a society, he turns the elements of culture into habits through the process of socialization.
6. Culture is a social matter: - The subject of culture is social; not personal. A person acquires the elements of culture within the social environment and makes them a part of his behavior through practice.
7. Changing: - Culture changes from country to country and time to time. Culture also changes with the evolution of society. People adopt necessary elements or things and discard unnecessary things. Again, they create new cultural elements when necessary. Therefore, culture is changing.
8. Flowing: - Culture is flowing and it keeps flowing from generation to generation. Cultural elements are never static.
9. Beliefs and attitudes: - Beliefs and attitudes are important elements of culture. All people living in a society interact with social elements and it is through this interaction that individuals form beliefs and certain attitudes about various social issues.
10. Coexistence of principles and values: - The mutual coexistence of principles and values can be observed in the cultural life of people. Principles and values form the basis of culture. In order to build an ideal life and society, people follow the principles and values prevalent in the society and through this, culture is preserved.
11. Symbols and signals: - There is a tradition of representing various elements of some cultures through symbols or signals. Also, symbols or signals are used to indicate the location of an object, to indicate a special instruction. These symbols or signals are used as a medium of social exchange and communication and also act as a presenter of values.
12. Socialization: - A very important element of culture is socialization. People get acquainted with the elements of culture through the process of socialization and interact with them. Socialization transmits the prevailing culture from one generation to the next.
13. Specific Purpose:- Every cultural element has a specific purpose. People reject cultural elements without a purpose. Only those elements that fulfill human needs are accepted as cultural elements.
14. Transpersonal Matter:- Herbert Spencer has mentioned culture as a transpersonal matter. A material element is associated with an emotional element. For example, the national anthem of a country is not just a song or music; it involves emotions, nationalism, patriotism - etc.
15. Social Control:- An essential element of culture is social control. The culture prevalent in a society influences the judgment of people and plays a role as a social regulator by controlling behavior.
16. Culture is an informal matter:- Generally, cultural elements do not have any written basis. However, although some of the cultural features prevalent in a society are incorporated into statutory laws, most of the elements of culture are custom-based. Therefore, culture is an informal matter.
17. Culture is an interrelated subject: - Culture is the combined form of various subjects such as customs, folklore, folk ethics, ideals - etc. Again, these subjects maintain mutual connection through culture.
18. Aids to adaptation: - Culture acts as an aid to the adaptation of individuals. People are born in society and adjust to the changing situation through culture and the elements of culture become aids to the adaptation of individuals.
Finally, it can be said that in the context of culture in a broad sense, MacIver rightly said - what we are is our culture. Culture is a kind of external manifestation of society and when culture lasts long in a society, it becomes a tradition.
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