Characteristics of Culture | The Geographic Times

 Characteristics of Culture

1. Culture is social because it is the product of behavior. Culture does not exist in isolation. It is a product of society. It develops through social interaction. No man can acquire culture without association with others.
2. Culture varies from society to society. Every society has a culture of its own that differs from other societies. The culture of every society is unique by itself. Cultures are not uniform. Cultural elements like customs, traditions, morals, values, and beliefs are not constant.
3. Culture is shared. Culture is not something that an individual alone can possess. Culture, in the sociological sense, is shared. For example, people of a society share all customs, traditions, beliefs, ideas, values, morals, etc.
4. Culture is learned. Culture is not inborn. It is learned. Unlearned behavior then, is not culture. Shaking hands, saying thanks, etc. are cultural behaviors. Not all behaviors are learned, but most of these can be. Combing hair, standing in line, telling jokes, criticizing the president, and going to movies all constitute behaviors that need to be learned. 
5. Culture is transmitted among members of society. Cultural ways are learned by people from others. Many of these ways are handed down from elders, parents, teachers, and others (most likely individuals of older generation), while other cultural behaviors are handed up to elders. Transmission of culture is made possible by language. Language is the main vehicle of culture. Transmission of culture may take place also through imitation as well as through instruction.
6. Culture is continuous and cumulative. Culture exists as a continuous process. In its historical growth, it tends to become cumulative. Ralph Linton called culture “the social heritage” of man. No culture ever remains constant or permanent. It is subject to slow but constant variation. Likewise, culture is responsive to the changing conditions of the physical world; hence, it is dynamic. 
7. Culture is gratifying and idealistic. Culture provides proper opportunities for the satisfaction of our needs and desires. Our needs, both biological and social, are fulfilled in cultural ways. Culture consists of the intellectual, artistic, and social ideals, and institutions where members of the society profess and strive to confirm.