Understanding Culture: Definition and Characteristics

The ongoing practice of embracing one’s own culture.

Components that make up a culture, including food, shelter, and values.

The perspective through which individuals interpret reality and events.

An organized system that helps people understand their existence and guides behavior.

The collective stories of a culture that shape identity and values.

Beliefs about what is important for maintaining a culture.

The structure of social units in a culture, like family and government.

How cultural stories and lessons are passed through generations.

The process of transmitting culture from one generation to another.

Objects, gestures, and language that convey cultural meaning and messages.

Culture is acquired, not innate; learned through social interactions.

Learning that occurs through interaction, observation, and imitation without structured methods.

Structured learning that takes place in institutions like schools and churches.

Most cultural messages are absorbed unconsciously during interactions.

Short sayings that convey values and beliefs of a culture.

Cultural messages are repeated and reinforced over time through interactions.

The process of exchanging meaningful information across cultures.

Narratives that teach important cultural lessons about morality.

Stories that often feature romance and heroism prevalent in ethnic Malay culture.

Art reflects a society’s culture and values and is essential for cultural identity.

Stories that explain human existence and cultural beliefs.

Cultural proverbs that emphasize taking quiet or thoughtful action.

Culture is the collective beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group.

Culture is learned through communication, which also reflects culture.

Culture is shared, transmitted, and creates identity among members.

A reflection of current trends and shared experiences in society.

Culture shapes how members of a society organize and interpret their world.

Cultural identity gives individuals a sense of belonging to their community.

Culture evolves in response to the environment and helps in survival.

Patterned interactions in social systems governed by rules.

Frameworks reflecting a culture, assigning roles and expectations.

Expectations culture sets for people’s behavior and appearance.

Language serves as a fundamental vehicle for cultural transmission.

Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately across cultures.

Includes motivation, appropriateness, and managing stress in communication.

Desire to engage positively in intercultural encounters.

Extrinsic goals are external rewards; intrinsic are internal satisfaction.

The ability to communicate effectively across cultures, requiring knowledge, skills, and motivations.

The capacity to understand and adapt to different cultural perspectives and conventions.

A method of improving intercultural communication by studying one culture deeply at a time.

Understanding universal cultural influences that affect human behavior across various cultures.

The ability to listen effectively in diverse cultural contexts, recognizing varied listening norms.

Differences in nonverbal cues and behaviors that may lead to misunderstanding in intercultural interactions.

The contrast between cultures that favor straightforward communication and those that value politeness and subtlety.

The patience and understanding needed when communicating with non-native speakers with different accents.