7 Elements of Culture Flashcards

Elements of Culture

• Seven key elements: Social Organization, Customs and Traditions, Language, Arts and Literature, Religion, Government, and Economy (SCLARGE).

Social Structure

• Framework for ranking individuals within a culture.
• Types include Nuclear families, Extended families, Matriarchal, and Patriarchal.

Nuclear Families

• Consists of a mother, father, and their children.

Extended Families

• Includes additional relatives such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, and cousins.

Family Structures

• Matriarchal: Family structure led by the mother or oldest female.
• Patriarchal: Family structure led by the father.

Customs and Traditions

• Rules of behavior unique to each culture.
• Essential components taught and inherited within cultural contexts.

Language

• A system of communication involving thoughts, feelings, and knowledge.
• Mirrors cultural identity and includes words and symbols facilitating interaction.

Arts and Literature

• Represents human imagination and personal expression.
• Reflects cultural values and strengthens community identity.

Religion and Spiritual Beliefs

• Addresses fundamental questions regarding life’s meaning and purpose.
• Supports group values, with forms including Monotheism, Polytheism, and Atheism.

Types of Religion

• Monotheism: Belief in a single God.
• Polytheism: Belief in multiple gods.
• Atheism: Lack of belief in any deity.

Government

• Enacts and enforces laws.
• Types include Monarchy, Republic, Dictatorship, Direct Democracy, and Representative Democracy.

Forms of Government

• Monarchy: Ruled by a king or queen.
• Republic: Governed by elected representatives.
• Dictatorship: Control by a single ruler who seizes power.
• Direct Democracy: Power rests directly in the hands of the people.
• Representative Democracy: People elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Economy

• The system managing the production and trading of resources, often influenced by government control.
• Types include Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism.

Economic Systems

• Capitalism: Controlled by private individuals who seek profit.
• Socialism: Government regulation and control of economic activities.
• Communism: Collective ownership of economic resources.

Social Organization

• Relationships among individuals and social groups impacting structures like families, teams, and institutions.

Mores

• Norms dictating morally right or wrong behaviors, such as maintaining eye contact in conversation as a sign of respect.

Symbols

• Representational figures, such as a cross for Christians or a Star of David for Jews.

Values

• Culturally defined standards representing what is considered good or bad, exemplified by the education requirement for children.

Norms

• Expectancies of behavior guiding individuals on appropriate actions in various social contexts, such as the use of utensils while eating.