Final answer:
The correct answer is 'd. culture,' referring to the collective values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people. Culture defines the societal norms, roles, and expectations that guide member interactions and maintain societal structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best answer to the question is d. culture. Culture encompasses a wide range of societal aspects, including shared beliefs, values, and practices that a group of individuals collectively adheres to and identifies with. Examples of culture include language, norms, rituals, arts, and collective memories. Essential components that define a culture are its characteristic values and behaviors that are regularly reinforced within the group through various means such as education, social norms, and laws. Political culture, a subset of culture, can be described as the set of political attitudes, values, and goals shared collectively by members of a political group, influencing how individuals view their roles in society and politics. These cultural norms and expectations are essential for the functioning of societies and for providing a sense of identity to its members.