Culture is an umbrella term that refers to the beliefs, habits and customs of a particular group or society. It encompasses many aspects of human life, including art, music, language, food and even the way people walk. People may view their own culture in different ways, depending on the specific beliefs they hold. Generally, cultures are thought to be learned, shared, symbolic, holistic and dynamic. They are also influenced by wider economic, social and environmental changes.
The idea of cultural study emerged from a wide variety of academic disciplines. It is primarily an aspect of the social sciences, but some schools of philosophy – including Marxism and critical theory – have taken on the concept in their works. Cultural studies scholars tend to emphasize that cultures are constantly evolving and that humans are not necessarily bound by them.
A culture is a set of beliefs and behaviors that are learned over time in the context of a particular community. It can be as large as a nation or as small as a family. A culture can also be defined by a group of individuals, such as friends or coworkers.
People often identify with their cultural heritage, such as their ethnicity or religious beliefs. They also tend to have a preference for certain types of music or movies. These preferences can be influenced by the dominant culture in a region or country, but are ultimately based on an individual’s personal experience.
Within a given culture, there are often subcultures that emerge as well. These groups may exist for a short period of time before they are absorbed by the dominant culture. The values of a subculture are often more liberal than those of the dominant culture, and they may be more tolerant of sexual and racial diversity. Examples of subcultures include hippies, punks and graffiti artists.
Each generation creates its own culture in addition to inheriting the traditions of previous generations. This can make people of older generations feel like their traditional values are being eroded. As a result, these older adults may express a sense of moral panic when young people adopt new musical styles, language and dress that they find offensive or embarrassing.
A person’s ability to adapt to the changing environment is a major part of their culture. This adaptation may include adopting a new language, style of music or dance move. It may also include learning new skills, such as a foreign language or computer program.
The cultural history of a region is the record of how this region has evolved over time. It is a way for people to see how a society has changed, and it can help them understand the origins of their own identities. Cultural historians may focus on specific topics such as art, music or architecture. They can also take a broad approach to history, covering all of the aspects of a culture at any given point in time. They can also look at the interrelationships of different cultures and regions in the world.