12 Domains of Culture Flashcards

History and Myth

• History reflects documented past events, while myths are narratives used to explain community origins and significant occurrences
• Myths are not typically verified and serve cultural storytelling purposes

Political and Social Relations

• This domain encompasses community organization regarding leadership, power, and authority structures
• Highlights the connections individuals share with others in their community, emphasizing social networks and relationships

Religion and Spirituality

• Religion acts as a cultural framework providing individuals with meaning and purpose
• Both religion and spirituality play crucial roles in maintaining social order and fostering unity within communities

Family and Kinship

• Encompasses groups of individuals bonded through blood relations, marriage, or strong emotional connections
• Family structures are fundamental to cultural identity and social dynamics

Sex and Gender

• Sex pertains to biological distinctions between males and females
• Gender is a cultural construct that encompasses societal norms regarding masculine and feminine behaviors

Language and Communication

• Language is the system used for information exchange, crucial for community interaction
• Communication includes both verbal and non-verbal practices essential for conveying meaning within cultures

Learning and Knowledge

• Knowledge acquisition occurs through formal education systems, like schools
• Informal learning takes place through observation of adults and peers, highlighting experiential knowledge

Time and Space

• This domain influences cultural behaviors in public settings and spatial organization
• Shapes how communities navigate their environments and position their housing and other elements

Aesthetics and Recreation

• Aesthetics relate to creative expressions defined by imagination, beauty, skill, and stylistic elements
• Recreational activities reflect cultural values and communal practices of creativity

Sustenance and Health

• Focuses on how cultures approach food acquisition and dietary practices
• Includes beliefs related to health, disease theories, and healing practices within different cultures

Economics and Resources

• Cultures establish norms and methods for producing, distributing, and consuming goods
• Defines survival needs, emphasizing cultural perspectives on necessary versus unnecessary goods

Technology and Material

• Technology serves as a means for societies to alter their physical environment
• Material culture is shaped significantly by technological developments and influences societal progress