The Importance of Culture
11 January, 2019
11 minutes read
Author: Richard Pircher
Culture can be defined as “the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.” It can also be understood as the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society. Therefore, it’s the shared patterns of our behavior and interaction which are learned through socialization. People of the same culture share a group identity that is fostered by social patterns unique to the group. Culture encompasses for example values, beliefs, symbols, norms, and patterns of behavior. It has a far-reaching impact on our everyday actions, on how we talk and think, what we wear, what we believe, how we sit at the table, and how we behave among other people. But what is the importance of culture in our society? And which components constitute our conception of culture?
Components of culture
- Patterns of behavior
What defines culture?
All cultures are characterized by constant change. As a dynamic phenomenon, cultures are under constant change and they must adapt to environmental changes. This is one of the universal features of a culture. After globalization, the world became more interconnected and today most societies consist of ethnically diverse populations. This has given rise to conflicts associated with ethnicity, religion, and ethical beliefs which are all central concepts in cultures. More than ever before, culture is no longer fixed but rather in constant motion. At a time when cultures adapt and become more fluid, a need has been identified to protect and preserve the past. There are organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) whose objectives include conserving and protecting cultural and natural heritage along with the promotion of international cooperation, peace, and security.
To answer the question about the importance of culture, one has to consider its role in people’s everyday lives. Because culture affects how people behave and interact with each other, it helps you build relationships with others when you understand other cultures and perspectives. It’s also good to understand how much in common we have with other people even if at first glance their cultures might seem completely different. We are all humans and have similar needs, hopes, fears, and things that make us happy. It doesn’t mean, however, that our cultural differences don’t matter at all. A better strategy is to acknowledge that differences exist and to fight against discrimination. The world is becoming more and more diverse as different languages, religions, economic and cultural groups blend together. We need to appreciate and understand different cultures and establish relationships with people from other backgrounds. This is the only way to build successful communities, improve our living conditions, and solve problems.
If we take a closer look at the characteristics of culture, we can identify five basic traits that define the concept of culture.
Five characteristics of culture
- Based on symbols
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Culture is learned
Culture is learned because it’s not biological or ingrained in our DNA. Children don’t inherit culture from their parents. Instead, they learn it and much of this learning occurs subconsciously without us paying any attention to it. We learn our culture not only from our families but also from institutions, other people, and the media. This process of learning is called enculturation. All humans share the same biological needs, for example, food, water, sleep, shelter, and sex, but the way we choose to fulfill those needs varies across cultures.
Culture is shared
Culture is shared because we share our culture with other members of our group. We know how to interact with these other members and we can predict their behavior based on our knowledge and expectations. The shared nature of culture doesn’t mean, however, that cultures are homogenous.
Culture is integrated
Because the various parts of a culture are interconnected, culture is also integrated. All components of culture are connected to one another and to gain a comprehensive understanding of a culture, one must learn about these different components.
Culture is dynamic
Culture is dynamic because cultures interact with each other. Cultures share ideas and symbols and they adapt to changes in the environment. Since cultures are also integrated, it means that if one component of a culture changes, it will affect all the other components, too, forcing the entire system to adapt.
Culture is based on symbols
Symbols are an integral part of every culture and they vary across different cultures. Cultures not only use symbols but they are also based on them. Symbols get their meaning when people in the same culture agree on how they should be used. Language is the most obvious example of the use of symbols within a culture but other things such as art, clothing, and money can also be defined as symbols.
It should also be pointed out that not all cultural adaptation is positive. Not all cultural practices are adaptive, and there are many examples of cultural adaptation that have been detrimental such as fast food, pollution, and climate change. But due to their dynamic nature, cultures have the ability to adapt and find solutions to these problems.
How does geography affect culture?
What influences our cultures then? One of the most profound of these factors is geography. The development of a culture is largely dependent on its geographical location. For example, locations that are ideal for hunting influence that culture by encouraging people to teach their descendants to hunt, tell hunting stories, and organize ceremonies that celebrate hunting skills. A factor such as hunting can thus become a defining characteristic of that culture. Another good example is the Japanese culture which relies heavily on the attribute of water. The fact that Japan is an island surrounded by water has influenced its culture from its creation myth to natural resources such as fish and growing of rice. Even more so, Japan as an island has historically been limited because of its geography, and this has given rise to art forms such as haiku poems and bonsai trees which are characterized by their limitations. Geography affects cultures from the number of languages spoken in a given area to the clothes people wear, their political ideas, and even religions. For example, on the island of Guinea, people speak more than 800 languages. This is because New Guinea is mountainous and it’s difficult for people from one area to come into contact with people from other areas. These different groups, therefore, learned to keep to themselves and developed their own languages. Culture also has its impact on the clothes that people wear, and this has historically been determined by geography, too. People in the Arctic whose culture relies on hunting whales and seals wear several layers of warm clothes, usually manufactured from animal skin. In contrast, tribes in the rainforests wear very little clothing and their economies are centered around plant life. In terms of government and religion, the ancient Greeks, for example, developed a political culture centered around city-states because their geography was mountainous and it was thus difficult for large kingdoms to arise. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian religions, on the other hand, differed in the fact that Mesopotamian gods were considered less kind than the Egyptian gods. This is believed to be the result of unpredictable floods in the Mesopotamian rivers and rather consistent and predictable floods in the Nile.
How does culture affect business?
When looking at modern cultures, we can see the many effects that cultures have, for example, on business. During a business meeting where people from different cultures are communicating with one another, cultural differences have to be taken into account. There is more than merely a language barrier that needs to be overcome. These differences can concern people’s sensitivity to time, the way of communicating, risk-taking, decision-making, and thinking of others, all of which need to be addressed. Cultural differences can often impact the success or failure of multicultural business negotiations. When segmenting target groups for a product or service, businesses have to spend time on examining the cultural expectations and values of different groups. Culture influences people’s tastes and preferences, and the same strategies will not work for all audiences. Americans, for example, have very different expectations from advertising and marketing than Asian consumers. Business owners must account for differences throughout the product’s life cycle, from its design to marketing and beyond.
Culture affects our every facet of life. Most societies these days have become multicultural as more and more people migrate across countries and continents. We live around, socialize and work with people from different cultural backgrounds and different parts of the world. While their values and beliefs might be different from ours, we should accept these differences and broaden our own views in order to attain harmony in these culturally diverse environments. We should acknowledge the importance of culture in communication and in contributing to our identity and sense of belonging as part of a social group. Culture can be seen as a uniting force that is part of our daily lives and an integral part of our being, defining the way we treat other people and ourselves.
- Caplan, L. (2018): “What Factors Influence Culture? What are the Characteristics of Culture?” eNotes. https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-factors-influence-culture-98429
- Community Tool Box (2018): “Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities.” The University of Kansas. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/culture-and-diversity/main
- eNotes (2015): “How Does Geography Affect Culture?” https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-does-geography-affect-culture-474205
- Nowaczyk, J., (2018): “The Five Basic Characteristics of Cultures.” Study.com https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-five-basic-characteristics-of-cultures.html
- OpinionFront (2018): “Why is Culture Important and How Does it Influence People?” https://opinionfront.com/why-is-culture-important
- Oxford Dictionaries (2019): “Definition of Culture.” Oxford University Press. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/culture
- Zimmermann, K. A. (2012): “What is Culture.” Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html
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Why Is Culture Important? Impact on People & Society
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Why is culture important and what is it? Culture is a composite of several factors. A community shares a main culture, and there can be sub-cultures within the main culture. The main culture is what makes a group of diverse sub-cultures cohesive. It can be compared to religions that believe in God, but have different doctrines and beliefs about God, but the overall commonality is the belief in God.
Why Is Culture Important?
Culture is a reflection of a community or nation. This makes culture a vital and important determining factor of how the community reacts, responds, and grows. Culture plays a major role in the lives of everyone in the society. Culture gives you a sense of belonging, especially when everyone speaks the same language . Language evolves with the culture as an intimate product of the way those within the society communicate.
Culture Provides Stability
It provides stability that, in turn, gives you a feeling of security and safety. For most people, culture provides them with the same emotional response as they have for their family . Strangers have an instant connection when they are part of the same culture. Culture provides a continuity between cities, states, and regions.
Culture Can Nurture
In the right kind of culture, people feel nurtured and even loved. They share the same history and ideologies as those within their community, and this gives everything unity. It ties them to their ancestry and provides a sensation of longevity which gives them a feeling of truth and living an authentic life.
Negative Aspects of Some Cultures
Culture nuances are far-reaching and can overshadow individual beliefs and ideologies. That's because culture sets up certain expectations for how members of the culture should act.
Ingrown Cultures
Cultures that don't embrace diversity by accepting other cultures into their fold become ingrown. In some more extreme cases when the culture becomes too ingrown, its reach develops into a groupthink mentality. In this extreme form of culture, anyone who doesn't toe the cultural line is viewed in a negative way. In fact, the person will be ostracized and shamed into conforming to the culture's precepts.
Cultural Stagnation Is Harmful
This type of culture derives its power through control of the community. In most instances of groupthink cultures, there are a handful of people steering the culture in their desired direction. At other times, strong cultural edicts simply morph as a result of strict cultural practices. These practices may become stagnant instead of continuously evolving and changing the way most healthy cultures do.
Cultural Control of Community
In strict instances of controlling cultures, the biggest threat is the stifling of individuality. When a person is forced to fall in line with strict cultural mandates, they don't develop discernment or critical thinking. What they think, what they do, how they move through life is all dictated and controlled by the culture they grow up in or choose to become part of as an adult. Cults often evolve from this kind of repressive cultures.
How Do Cultures Control Their Communities?
The use of peer pressure is an effective tool for controlling a community within a culture. Those who support the culture expect others within their community to fall in line and support their cultural values. If peer pressure fails to work, then shaming tactics are employed. If those efforts fail to force the person to act according to their cultural norms then more extreme measures are taken, such as character assassination or worse, persecution.
Culture's Influence Over Lives
It's undeniable that your culture influences who you are, your perspective about life and the world at large, and your values. Even your sense of humanity and how you relate to other people are influence by your culture. This type of influence can result in what is commonly called a cultural gap.
How to Bridge Cultural Gaps
It's through intentional understanding and acceptance of different cultures that cultural gaps can be bridged. It takes a willingness and desire to understand different cultures. Communities that make such efforts show an appreciation for diversity and view cultural differences as a gateway for building and growing their own community.
Inclusion Is Vital
Including people from other cultures into their community provides new insights and appreciation of different, diverse groups. They may gain a new perspective of the world at large.
Recognizing Shared Values
When a society values cultures different from their own, they allow themselves to grow and realize there are other ways of doing things. They are able to grow as individuals and reach beyond their own safety nets to experience new ideas, cuisines and various expression of individuality and cultures through religions, music, fashion, and art.
Diversity Can Inspire Greater Self-Expression
Diversity can inspire you to find a new way of self-expression. An artist may be inspired by the art of another culture, or discover that a certain aspect of the new culture challenges what they thought they understand about life in general.
Healthy Cultures Expand and Grow
A healthy culture learns to adapt to changes. It can expand and grow without feeling its own core values are threatened. The healthy community may even adopt some parts of a new culture. These new cultural aspects can strengthen the existing ethos and add to its own richness and diversity. This kind of growing and advancing culture can better support its members. It can provide a more stable and nurturing framework for the community, but more importantly, the individuals within the culture.
Cultural Clashes
It's easy to understand how different cultures can clash. When two cultures don't share the same philosophies or values, it is difficult to find common ground. However, it is through respect and open communication that common ground can be found to provide a platform for building a bigger and better community.
Connection Between Economies and Cultures
The culture is the driving force behind a community's economy. The culture provides individuals with specific goals, such as creation and building. The more diverse a culture is, the more economic opportunities and wealth it can have. That's because the pool of skills and knowledge are widened and become deeper and more complex. There is a greater wellspring of creativity that economic opportunities follow.
Why Is Culture Important to a Society?
A healthy prosperous culture is a positive reflection of a diverse community. Culture is vital to the growth and economic progress of society.
Essay on Importance of Culture and Tradition
Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Culture and Tradition in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
Let’s take a look…
100 Words Essay on Importance of Culture and Tradition
Introduction.
Culture and tradition are vital aspects of our lives. They define our identity, guide our behavior, and connect us to our history.
The Role of Culture
Culture is the shared values, beliefs, and customs of a group. It shapes our thinking and decisions, making us unique.
Significance of Traditions
Traditions are practices passed down generations. They foster unity and continuity, strengthening our bond with our ancestors.
In essence, culture and tradition are the backbone of our society. They provide a sense of belonging and help preserve our heritage.
250 Words Essay on Importance of Culture and Tradition
Understanding culture and tradition.
Culture and tradition are the pillars of any society, shaping the identity and character of individuals and communities. They are the collective manifestation of shared behaviors, beliefs, and values, passed down through generations.
Culture is the lens through which we perceive and evaluate what is around us. It influences our perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors, serving as a roadmap for both individual and community behaviors. It fosters a sense of belonging and security, reinforcing societal norms and expectations.
Significance of Tradition
Traditions, on the other hand, are specific practices or customs that are perpetuated across generations. They provide a sense of continuity and connection to our past. Traditions can foster unity, create positive memories, and build strong relationships within communities.
Culture, Tradition, and Identity
Both culture and tradition are integral to identity formation. They define our roots and give us a sense of belonging. They shape our worldview and influence our values, thus impacting our decisions and actions.
Preserving Culture and Tradition
In an increasingly globalized world, there’s a risk of cultural erosion. It is essential to preserve culture and tradition, not as unchangeable relics of the past, but as dynamic entities that evolve while retaining their core essence. This preservation promotes diversity and enriches global understanding.
In conclusion, culture and tradition are not just about the past. They are living, dynamic aspects of social life that play a critical role in shaping our present and future. Their importance lies in their capacity to promote social cohesion, personal identity, and mutual understanding.
500 Words Essay on Importance of Culture and Tradition
Culture and tradition are integral aspects of human life. They provide a sense of identity, belonging, and continuity, shaping our perceptions and behaviors. As we delve into the significance of culture and tradition, we unravel the profound influences they have on individual and societal development.
The Essence of Identity and Belonging
Culture and tradition are the bedrock of our identity. They offer a unique lens through which we view and interpret the world. Our cultural heritage, expressed through language, art, rituals, and social norms, shapes our worldview and forms our unique identity. This identity, in turn, fosters a sense of belonging, a vital aspect of our psychological well-being.
Preservation of Historical Continuity
Traditions serve as a bridge between the past, present, and future, ensuring historical continuity. They preserve and pass on the wisdom, knowledge, and experiences of previous generations. This continuity provides a sense of stability and predictability, which is essential in a rapidly changing world.
Contribution to Social Cohesion
Culture and tradition play a crucial role in promoting social cohesion. Shared cultural practices and beliefs create a sense of unity and mutual understanding among individuals. They provide a common ground for communication, reducing conflicts, and fostering peaceful coexistence.
Role in Moral and Ethical Development
Culture and tradition also play a significant role in moral and ethical development. They instill values, norms, and moral codes that guide individual behavior and social interactions. These ethical frameworks help maintain social order and harmony, promoting cooperative and responsible behavior.
Challenges and Evolution
Despite their importance, culture and tradition are not static; they evolve over time. Societies must balance the preservation of cultural heritage with the need for adaptation and progress. Unquestioned adherence to outdated traditions can hinder societal growth and development. Conversely, the complete abandonment of cultural practices can lead to a loss of identity and historical continuity.
In essence, culture and tradition are not merely relics of the past but dynamic and evolving aspects of human societies. They provide identity, ensure historical continuity, promote social cohesion, and guide moral development. However, it is equally important to critically engage with our cultural practices and traditions, ensuring they evolve in ways that are inclusive, progressive, and responsive to changing societal needs. The importance of culture and tradition, therefore, lies not just in preservation but also in thoughtful evolution.
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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — What is Culture — The Essence of Culture: Understanding and Valuing its Significance
The Essence of Culture: Understanding and Valuing Its Significance
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Published: Sep 12, 2023
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Table of contents
Defining culture, the importance of culture, culture in a diverse world, conclusion: the rich tapestry of human experience, 1. norms and values:, 2. language and communication:, 3. traditions and rituals:, 4. arts, literature, and expression:, 5. social structures and hierarchies:, 1. identity and belonging:, 2. cultural preservation:, 3. interpersonal relationships:, 4. global understanding:, 5. personal growth and enrichment:.
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Is Culture Essential? The Role of Culture in Human Life
Introduction, reference list.
The essay below discusses the importance of culture in human life as a means of adaptation, organization, and interpretation.
Is it possible to imagine our every day life without culture? To answer this question, it is enough to remember that humans are social animals, and their participation in social and cultural activities is one of the main issues which distinguish them from other animals in the world.
If people forget about the importance of culture in their lives, they may lose a chance to be called a separate group with its own interests, demands, and preferences. There are many aspects which make this life a pure human one only, and the absence of one of such aspects may lead to unpredictable and usually frustrating results. The peculiar feature of culture that has to be inherent to society is its possibility to provide the necessary knowledge in order to survive and get used to the natural environment that cannot be neglected.
And when the time to answer the question whether culture essential to human life comes, there cannot be any doubts to underline its importance and significance. Culture is an integral part of human life, and its significance may be observed from several perspectives: as a powerful means for people to adapt to the environment they have to live in, as a crucial point for people to organize their lives and to follow the already established norms, and as a vital ability to comprehend and interpret people and events around.
Human abilities
Usually people make use of culture in order to improve their lives, develop their abilities, and promote the necessary progress in this life. Even taking into consideration the fact that people are regarded as the superior form of life in the world, human body and abilities are not as powerful and strong as the other forms may have.
For example, the physical state of a man is weaker than the one of the elephant, however, a man is able to handle the elephant and use its power and abilities to solve problems and make the right decision due to his cultural development.
Haviland, Walrath, and Prins (2007) admit that “a culture is essentially a maintenance system to ensure the continued well-being of a group of people” (p. 40) and underline its significance due to the possibility to survive in the society. So the development of culture plays an important role in human lives as it helps to utilize numerous factors and make use of them in accordance with humans’ demands and needs.
In fact, culture is that integral issue that makes human life possible because humans are able to comprehend, define, and realize what and why is required. “People are born with a propensity to learn the knowledge and behaviors of the group they were born into from observation, interaction, and communication with members of that group” (Peoples & Bailey, 2008, p. 36), this is why these very ways will be crucial considering the role of culture in human life.
Culture as a means of adaptation
By means of culture, people have a chance to gain the necessary knowledge about the natural environment they live in. Such awareness helps to survive under different conditions and be adapted to different challenges and problems.
It is not that easy to forecast all possible obstacles in this life, this is why when a person thinks that it is enough to be culturally education, he/she makes a huge mistake. It becomes more important to share all information between the members of the chosen culture and promote the spreading of this culture to other people.
Usually culture exists in a stable form that allows people rely on the same grounds and requirements to adapt the necessary environment. Many anthropologists admit that culture is a very significant point for people to survive in this world, and it is not a surprise that they regard adaptation as one of the most essential ways of how culture influences human life (Peoples & Bailey, 2008).
Culture helps to organize human life
Another powerful way of how culture may influence human life is its ability to organize properly the relations between people and the norms according to which these people have to live. “Human beings, in being born, are – uniquely among living creatures – cast into a world of culture” (Richardson, 2001, p. 1). Humans’ belonging to one concrete group is an inherent feature that can hardly be avoided, so people have to organize their lives, interests, and duties in accordance with the norms set by the culture.
This way of cultural influence on human life implies all those values, expectations, and relations which have to be used by an individual in order to communicate, cooperate, and express personal thoughts and ideas in a proper way. With the help of cultural awareness, people realize what actions are acceptable in this society and what actions have to be avoided; people learn how to develop relations with relatives, friends, and strangers; and finally, people understand what steps have to be taken to achieve the purposes set.
Culture and interpretation of human life
The final idea of how culture may influence and make human life possible is all about interpretation of reality. Culture is the only responsible item that helps people perceive and analyze the events which happen to them. In other words, “culture provides a filter or screen that affects how we perceive the world through our senses” (Peoples & Bailey, 2008, p. 36). Urgency of the action may serve as a powerful example of how culture influences this life.
There are some events and actions which are very important in our life, for example pregnancy or eating. Culture helps people comprehend why all this is urgent and when it is better to take these steps. And the issues like driving a car, buying new clothes, or make up are not that important, and culture informs people why these aspects may be considered as such.
In general, culture should be regarded as “an integral composed of partly autonomous, partly coordinated institutions” (Valsiner, 2000). This is why its impact on human life and its development is considered to be an important issue to discuss. Culture is a powerful and essential means used by people to be adapted to surroundings, to interpret personal understanding of this world, and to organize personal thoughts and actions.
Now it is clear that culture makes human life possible in many different ways such as organization, adaptation, and interpretation. To gain better understanding of why culture is essential in this life, it becomes necessary to evaluate how absence of culture may influence the current state of affairs and what outcomes are possible if people fail to accept culture as an integral part of their life.
Haviland, W.A., Walrath, D., & Prins, H.E.L. (2007). Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge . Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Peoples, J. & Bailey, G. (2008). Humanity: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology . Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Richardson, M. (2001). The Experience of Culture . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publication, Ltd.
Valsiner, J. (2000). Culture and Human Development: An Introduction . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
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This essay aims to explore the importance of culture in various aspects of human life, including social, economic, and personal development. By analyzing its impact on education, healthcare, and the economy, we can gain a deeper understanding of culture's significance in society.
What is the importance of culture and what characteristics does it have? Take a look at our culture essay example and improve your own essay writing skills
Why Is Culture Important? Culture is a reflection of a community or nation. This makes culture a vital and important determining factor of how the community reacts, responds, and grows.
In today's globalized world, where cultures are increasingly intermingling, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the importance of one's own cultural heritage. In this essay, I will explore the significance of my culture and why it is essential to preserve and promote it.
Different people define culture in different ways, for example “Culture: learned and shared human patterns or models for living; day- to-day living patterns, these patterns and models pervade all aspects of human social interaction. Culture is mankind’s primary adaptive mechanism”1.
Culture and tradition play a crucial role in promoting social cohesion. Shared cultural practices and beliefs create a sense of unity and mutual understanding among individuals. They provide a common ground for communication, reducing conflicts, and fostering peaceful coexistence.
It shapes our beliefs, values, customs, language, and the way we interact with one another. In this essay, we will explore the essence of culture, delving into what it encompasses and why it holds such paramount importance in our lives and the world at large.
Do you want to get an A + for your culture essay? ⏩ Then read our guide to creating a great essay about culture. 💡 Examples and useful tips!
Culture is an integral part of human life, and its significance may be observed from several perspectives: as a powerful means for people to adapt to the environment they have to live in, as a crucial point for people to organize their lives and to follow the already established norms, and as a vital ability to comprehend and interpret people an...
This essay will define culture, discuss culture identity, culture diversity, cultural differences, and explain why culture is important.