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Sociology → Introduction → Culture → Elements of Culture
Culture is composition of following major elements:
A. Norms
Norm is defined as ‘informal understandings that governs individuals’ behavior in society’. It is one of the cultural products along with being an important element of culture.
Norm is observed by the individuals of a culture who if deviate from it are taken as victim of deviance and anomy. An example of norm is handshaking between the contesting and competing players after game. Norm is also referred as something usual, typical or standard.
B. Values
‘Values are general standards and may be regarded as higher order norms.’ Cultural values vary from society to society just like norms. Values of a culture has shaped by religion, morality and ethics observed by the people of those culture. History also puts considerable influence on values of a society. Usually norms are specific, values are not. This defines the relationship between them. Values are often attributed with the measures of goodness and desirability.
C. Beliefs
Belief is mental representation of an attitude positively oriented towards the likelihood of something being true. Belief in a culture can be of superstitious as well as religious nature. Beliefs erupt from the religious teachings most of the time but that not always the case. A culture might have beliefs which are based on historical practices and folkways of a society. A common example comes from the traditional Hindu societies which are considered full of people with strict belief in superstitions.
D. Sanctions
Any kind of means by which conformity to socially approved standards is enforced, is called social sanction. Sanctions can be negative as well as positive. They can be formal as well as informal.
E. Customs
Custom is a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society. Customs constitute an important part of any culture.