Characteristics of Culture

Culture is distinguishable

• Shared with members.
• Encompasses internal variety.

Culture is created

• Invented and evolved (not innate).
• Collective choices in response to environment, experience, events, etc.

Culture is systemic

• Interrelated relationships, subsystems.
• Internally meaningful.

Culture is learned

• Transmitted intergenerationally through institutional process.
• Internalized through socialization of children.
• Supported by images and sanctions.

Culture is pervasive and largely unexamined

• The "water we swim in."
• Touches every aspect of human endeavor.

Culture is binding.

• Anxiety (Culture shock happens when it is confronted or challenged).