In this post, we’ll unpack all you need to know about human culture, defining exactly what it is, its evolutionary role, examples, what shapes it, key dimensions and more.
What Is Human Culture?
Human culture refers to the shared values, symbols and norms that define a group of people and shape how they interact with each other and their environment.
The Evolutionary Lens
From an evolutionary perspective, culture evolved to enhance group survival through improved communication, cooperation and also social cohesion. It also allows humans to transmit information by passing knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next.
Examples
Examples of human culture include the distinct languages spoken in various regions, the festivals and holidays celebrated by different communities and the customs surrounding food, dress and also social etiquette.
What Shapes It
Human culture is shaped by various factors.
Firstly, values, which are deeply held beliefs about what is right and wrong. Secondly, symbols, which is anything that carries particular meaning such as flags or religious icons. Thirdly, norms, which are the rules guiding appropriate behaviour in specific situations.
Cultural Dimensions
Human culture can be understood through various dimensions that each influence how individuals and societies function.
- Tight Versus Loose: Tight cultures prioritise strict norms. Loose cultures prioritise flexible norms.
- Hierarchical Versus Egalitarian: Hierarchical cultures prioritise structured authority and status. Egalitarian cultures prioritise distributed power and equality.
- Collectivist Versus Individualist: Collectivist cultures prioritise group goals and interdependence. Individualist cultures prioritise personal goals and independence.
- Objective Versus Subjective: Objective cultures prioritise facts. Subjective cultures prioritise personal interpretations.
Summary (TL;DR)
Human culture refers to the shared values, symbols and norms that define a group of people and shape how they interact with each other and their environment.
It evolved to enhance group survival through improved communication, cooperation and social cohesion as well as allowing humans to transmit knowledge and wisdom.
