Culture is the sum total of a group’s beliefs, values and behaviors that they learn through communication and imitation. These symbols, or cultural narratives, bind groups together and provide the framework within which they establish and maintain societal norms and expectations. Without a structured cultural context, a society would lack the shared language and knowledge that promotes social cohesion and allows individuals to feel like they belong to a larger community. Society, through societal institutions such as family and education, plays a pivotal role in the perpetuation of culture.
The concept of culture has been subject to many definitions, but most scholars agree that it refers to the learned accumulated deposit of knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and belief systems that are passed on by the members of a society from one generation to the next. Culture includes the physical aspects of a society, such as food, fashion and music, as well as non-physical elements, such as customs, traditions, beliefs and values. It is a dynamic process, constantly evolving and being challenged by new events and experiences, but it is the common thread that binds people together.
When examining the past, cultural historians search for the beliefs and ideas of a time, much as intellectual historians study the writings of the intelligentsia. However, cultural history also focuses on the ordinary activities of people’s daily lives, and how these habits reflect a society’s values and assumptions. It examines cultural influences in every aspect of life, from religious and political beliefs to the way that families and friends communicate.
As with other fields of study, the discipline of cultural history has evolved and changed in the past century, largely due to shifting ideological perspectives. The early notion of culture as a concept of civilization, and the judgments about which cultures may be considered barbaric or cultivated, have been replaced with more complex understandings of human behavior. For example, in the late 1960s, cultural anthropologists began to question the validity of using the term “barbarism” and shifted their focus to studying how human societies develop and maintain themselves.
Today, a broad range of academic disciplines and professional organizations contribute to the field of cultural history. As the world becomes more global and interconnected, it is vital for everyone to understand how their own cultural beliefs and practices may be shaped by a variety of other cultures. This helps foster a sense of belonging, and can help us to recognize and respect the rich diversity that exists amongst all human communities. As such, the field of cultural history has never been more important.