WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture is a system of building identity !!! Each living life is attached in culture whether humans or animals. Culture is natural development during birth process {what we call is behavior, that changes from individual to individual broadened when lives in family that family is part of a society (group or community), behavior of the group is culture} and its evolution is based on intelligence reaction to experiences and needs. For example initial stages of humans, behavior were similar to other animals lived in groups. Animals too live in groups (society or community) and their group behavior and practices is their culture. Human intelligence reacted stronger to experiences and needs that widened cultural status. Culture is process to live in group. Each society has norms to follow by individuals in order to retain society strong and intact. Culture is a process for identity of living creatures and cultural evolution raises the identity of society, benefit goes to its individuals. Culture differentiates from group to group (as behavior changes) though major part remains same as human culture to differentiate from other species. This gives different identity. For societys culture there is one individual behind who broadens or establishes the cultural status. Culture developed by beliefs, faith, practices, customs, way to live, art, intelligence, language, food habits, and economy etc; Cultural growth gave identity to the societies that named, Christian or Muslim or Hindu or Jewish or Buddhist etc; have different cultures. So when we come across art, customs etc; we identify what is their culture or which religion they belong. Cultural growth is community growth. Differences of cultures of two societies when clash leads to war and stronger one overpowers the other to establish own culture that way it broadens its culture. An apparent example we have is western culture spread in most part of the world.

DEFINITIONS OF CULTURE
Here are two good definitions by two people who should know. Geert Hofstede defined a very common set of models for international cultures, whilst Edgar Schein is an authority on a several topics and has written one of the best books on organizational culture. Culture is the collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes the members of one human group from those of another. Culture in this sense is a system of collectively held values. -- Geert Hofstede Culture is the deeper level of basic assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organization, that operate unconsciously and define in a basic taken for granted fashion an organization's view of its self and its environment. -- Edgar Schein A simple way of defining culture is: "Culture is a system for differentiating between in-group and out-group people." Culture is what keeps people together, so you could even say: "Culture is social glue." Culture as shared meaning Culture is very much about groups, and a basic need of groups is to be able to communicate, both at a superficial level (for which ordinary language largely suffices) and also at a deeper level of meaning. At this deeper level, words, actions and things can become imbued with special and specific meaning for the group, for example: A group-specific jargon and language, for example derogatory descriptors of outsiders. Rituals for greetings, meetings, punishments and other group processes. Artwork and artifacts that symbolize and remind the group of their history. People and roles that help share

Culture as behavioral rules When a group of people are to exist together, they need a set of rules, or social norms, that helps everyone know what to do in various circumstances, from arguing with one another to dealing with outsiders. These rules help to propagate the shared meaning and also use the systems of meaning to make sense of what is happening and what is done.

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

Language: The various languages are essentially an important part of the culture. Norms: Every society or every civilization has a set of norms, which are an inseparable part, and an important element of the culture. This can include the folkways, mores, taboos and rituals in a culture. Values: The social values of a particular civilization are also considered as an element of the culture. The values of a culture often refer to the things to be achieved or the things, which are considered of great worth or value in a particular culture. Religion and Beliefs: The religion and the beliefs of the people in a civilization play an important role in shaping up of the culture as well. Social Collectives: Social collectives refer to the social groups, organizations, communities, institutions, classes, and societies, which are considered as symbolic social constructions. Status and Role in Society: A status or a social role is nothing but a slot or position within a group or society, which gives an overall idea of the social structure and hence is an important element of culture. This can also include traditional gender-based or agebased roles. Cultural Integration: This includes the degree of harmony or integration within the various elements of culture. This can include elements like sub-cultures, local cultures and the difference between historical and cultural traditions.