Culture is not something that is inherited at birth, it's something that is learned and shared throughout our lives. Culture shapes our identity and influences how we see the world, from the foods we eat to how we communicate, to the holidays we celebrate.
But how exactly do we learn and share culture? In this blog post, I will dive into one of the characteristics of culture and explore the ways in which it is passed down from generation to generation. So grab a cup of tea, and let's dive in!
Culture is a shared way of life and it is passed down from one generation to the next. It includes things like customs, traditions, values, beliefs, language, and even material objects. Culture is what unites a group of people, giving them a sense of shared identity and purpose.
It is a fundamental aspect of human society, shaping our interactions and experiences. And it is something that is learned and shared through the process of socialization, where individuals learn the norms, values, and beliefs of the group to which they belong.
Humans learn and share culture but animals lack it.
Humans have the ability to learn and share culture, while animals do not. Humans have the ability to communicate, create, and transmit culture through language, art, and other forms of symbolic expression.
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| fig: Social interaction among Gurungs. |
Animals, on the other hand, do not have the same capacity to communicate or create culture. They have instinctual behaviours and patterns, but these are not learned or shared in the same way as human culture. Some animals have complex social systems and behaviour, but these are not considered cultural as they are not transmitted socially or learned through observation and communication. Humans are unique in their ability to create and transmit culture, which is one of the defining characteristics of our species.
Why Humans can learn culture?
It is because humans have the ability to think symbolically, which is a crucial aspect of our ability to create and transmit culture. The human mind is capable of creating and understanding symbols, such as language, art, and other forms of expression. These symbols allow us to communicate abstract concepts and ideas, which is crucial for the transmission of culture.
Animals, on the other hand, do not have this ability to think symbolically. They have instinctual behaviours and patterns, but these are not based on symbolic thought. While animals can learn and adapt to their environment, their behaviour is not as complex as human behaviour, which is deeply influenced by symbolic thinking.
Human symbolic thinking enables us to create and transmit culture, which is a fundamental aspect of human society and it's one of the key differences between humans and animals.
Socialization
Culture is passed down from one generation to the next through various means of socialization, including family, education, religion, and media. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and beliefs of their culture, and it begins at birth and continues throughout our lives.
For example, children learn their native language and customs from their parents and family, and they learn about the cultural values and customs of their society through education and the media. Culture is also transmitted through social interactions and communication with others, as well as through shared experiences and traditions.
These shared elements create a sense of cohesion and identity among members of a particular culture. For example, shared beliefs might include religious or spiritual beliefs, while shared values might include things like respect for elders or the importance of family. Shared memories and traditions serve to connect people to their history and to one another.
Shared expectations and norms govern how people should behave and interact with one another. All these shared elements of culture help create a sense of belonging and identity for those who are part of it, and it also helps them navigate the world around them and understand their place in it.