Final answer:
Culture is defined as the shared practices, values, and beliefs of a society, encompassing both material and nonmaterial elements. It is dynamic and evolves over time, reflecting a way of life that includes language, traditions, and social norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term culture can be defined as the total way of life shared by members of a society. This includes a group's shared practices, values, and beliefs. Culture encompasses everything from everyday interactions to significant aspects of a society's existence. It integrates social rules, language, traditions, and the accumulated knowledge and values that form the foundation for social action.
Sociologically, society and culture are distinct concepts, although they are often used interchangeably. A society refers to a community of people who live together and share a common political authority, whereas culture embodies the behaviors, beliefs, and material and nonmaterial elements shared by these people. It's important to note that culture is dynamic, continuously evolving with new knowledge and behaviors and can vary greatly from one group to another, reflecting the diversity of human experiences.