Final answer:
Culture represents the shared assumptions, beliefs, and values of a group, influencing its way of life and societal norms. It is distinct from ethnicity, which is based on shared cultural practices rather than biological lineage. Cultural values and beliefs are deeply embedded within a society, shaping its collective identity and behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shared assumptions, beliefs, and values of a group or organization are known as culture. Culture encompasses a group's way of life, from daily interactions to significant life events and practices. It includes the ideals or the principles and standards that members of a culture hold in high regard, as well as the beliefs, which are the tenets or convictions that people hold to be true. Together, values and beliefs provide understanding and expectation in how sociologists examine situations and contexts where certain behaviors are anticipated.
Culture also involves the norms and rules that upkeep the values through the use of a common language and symbols. These elements function as a cohesive force within societies, giving individuals a sense of belonging and identity within a larger social framework. Aside from the societal impact, political culture, another dimension of culture, influences how individuals within a society view their roles as citizens.
Ethnicity, often mistaken for culture, refers to the shared cultural practices, values, and beliefs of a group that may include language, religion, and traditions. Despite the interchangeable use of the terms culture and ethnicity, they have distinct meanings with ethnicity primarily focusing on cultural connection more than biological lineage.
Values and beliefs in a culture are critical for understanding its intrinsic norms. These norms vary vastly across different societies, and within a society, individual cultures have personal beliefs but also shared collective values. For instance, in the American culture, values such as the American Dream highlight the cultural significance placed on wealth and success. These examples illustrate how deeply embedded values shape the collective identity and behaviors of a society.