What is culture and what are the characteristics of culture?

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Culture is a complex term that encompasses a variety of aspects of life. It is generally defined as the shared patterns of behaviors, interactions, and understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. These shared patterns identify the members of a cultural group while also distinguishing those of another group.

Here are some of the main characteristics of culture:

1. Culture is Learned: Culture is not inherited biologically, but learned socially by man. It is not an inborn tendency.

2. Culture is Shared: Culture is a collective heritage learned by individuals and passed from one generation to another. It is not something that an individual alone can possess.

3. Culture is Symbolic: Culture is based on the symbolic codes of a society. A symbol is anything that stands for something else.

4. Culture is Dynamic: Culture is not static; it is dynamic. It changes and evolves over time, adapting to new influences and circumstances.

5. Culture is Integrated: All aspects of a culture are interconnected and impact one another. Changes in one area of a culture may impact other areas.

6. Culture Gives Us a Range of Permissible Behavior Patterns: Culture provides us with a guideline of what is acceptable behavior within our society or group.

7. Culture is Diverse: It varies from society to society. Every society has its unique culture.

8. Culture is Human: Culture is a human product; it is a creation of man. Animals do not have culture, but they have habits and instincts.

9. Culture is Transmissive: It is transmitted from one generation to another. The older generation passes their cultural elements to their new generation.

10. Culture is Continuous and Cumulative: Culture exists as a continuous process. In its historical growth, it tends to become cumulative.

11. Culture Satisfies Needs: Culture provides solutions to the biological, socio-psychological, and ideological needs of mankind.