Culture Terms & Key Vocabulary

Culture Scientists and Anthropologists define culture as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group.

According to Edward Tyler in 1871: culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities or habits acquired by a group.

• Culture is a learned behavior.
• Culture is also used to refer to a highly cultivated person versed in art, philosophy, etc.
• Culture includes insignificant behavior such as behavior traits, etiquette, food habits, as well as refined arts of a society.
• Culture can also be considered as the sum total of human knowledge and acquired behavior of humankind.
• Habits or behavior is generally transmitted from members to the young or outsiders until the outsider is also an insider, part of the group.

Language: common way of communication.

Language is a system of verbal and nonverbal symbols used to communicate ideas. The study of these symbols is what is known as semiotics.

Taboos: strict mores or behavior that is looked down upon in a culture (usually sexual)

Regardless of culture, all cultures include:

• a primary means of subsistence
• a primary family
• a system of kinship
• a set of rules of social conduct
• religion (belief)
• material culture (tools, weapons, clothing)
• forms of art

cultural relativism: All cultures are rational in their own terms.