Final answer:
Culture consists of values, beliefs, norms, language and symbols, as well as practices and artifacts that are central to a society's way of life. It is dynamic, leading to continuous cultural change as societies interact and evolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of culture encompasses the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts. When discussing the fundamental properties of culture, it's important to consider four key elements that sociologists recognize:
- Values and beliefs: The deeply held principles and convictions that guide a society's view on what is good, right, and desirable.
- Norms: Established standards of behavior maintained by a society, including laws (legal norms), mores (moral norms), and folkways (traditional behaviors without moral implications).
- Language and symbols: These are essential for communication and passing on traditions and cultural knowledge. Language allows the expression of beliefs and values, and symbols can represent those beliefs and values.
- Practices and artifacts: The physical expressions of culture, including arts, customs, and items that embody a society's cultural experience.
In addition to these properties, culture is dynamic and constantly evolving. Changes in culture can result from mechanisms such as diffusion, innovation, and the global exchange of ideas and goods. As a result, cultural change is often seen, which can involve a shift in values, norms, language, and practices over time.