Final answer:
Rick Potts suggests that culture is comprised of three basic elements: values, beliefs, and norms, which organize the vast array of learned and shared human experiences into a coherent system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The foundation of culture as outlined by Rick Potts can be understood by examining three basic elements that encompass the learned and shared aspects of human experience or behavior. These elements are values, beliefs, and norms, which come together in larger combinations or aggregates. Values represent the ideals or principles held in high regard by a culture, while beliefs are the tenets people within a culture hold to be true. Norms, including laws, mores, and folkways, govern the culture further, shaping and defining the conduct for individuals and the society.
Rick Potts' concept aids in understanding not just individual cultural practices but also how these elements contribute to complex societal constructs as seen in subcultures, countercultures, and the impact of technological innovation and globalization on cultural change.