10 Traits of Culture

Learned behaviors, traditions, beliefs, and ways of life created by groups of

people

1. Art• The way the

culture expresses themselves

• Paintings, pottery, masks, statues

• What did the culture contribute?

2. Language

• Languages spoken by groups

• Also include dialects-different ways of speaking same language

• Written, etc. communication-fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, etc.

3. Technology

• Tools that make life easier

• Can be simple or complex

• Includes architecture-building styles

Plows

African house

4. Food

• What people eat• How food is

prepared• Tools people use

to eat• Settings in which

people eat

Haggis

S’mores

Chopsticks

5. Dress

• Clothing-can be affected by geography, government, and other factors

• Jewelry• Body Decoration

India

South Africa

6. Belief

• Ways people worship

• Organized religions-Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, etc

• Native/Tribal religions

• How and where people worship

Hindu temple

Islamic dress

7. Family/Social Structure

• Members of the family within home

• Nuclear family-parents and children

• Extended family-could also include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

8. Customs and Traditions

• Long-established practice usually passed from one generation to the next

• Can be family or cultural

• Includes holidays

Hawaiian dance

4th of July

9. Institutions

• 1. Education: a way the culture learns

• 2. Government: a set of laws and leaders

• 3. Economy: a way to make money

• 4. Religion: a way to practice your belief

10. Recreation

• Anything people do for leisure or fun

• Sports and games• Passive activities-

reading, watching television, etc

Soccer

Monopoly Harry Potter

Ten Elements

1. Values and Beliefs

2. Language3. Technology4. Foods5. Dress

6. Art7. Social Structure8. Customs and

Traditions9. Institutions10. Recreation