What is Culture?

Introduction

The first thing you must understand when you begin your studies in cultural anthropology is the concept of culture. The Webster's New World College Dictionary Third Edition provides, among others, the following definition: development, improvement, or refinement of the intellect, emotions, interests, manners, and taste..." I feel this definition reflects what a lot of people think of when they think of culture. That is, culture brings to mind images of etiquette and refinement, sometimes coupled with wealth. While this definition is true in one sense, it is not what anthropologists are talking about when they speak about culture.

This article seeks to answer the question, "What is Culture?" It covers the following topics:

• Defining culture
• Implications
• Cultural components
• Wrap up

You can click one of the topics above to jump right to it, or use the browse buttons below to peruse the article.

Sources for this article:

• Anthropology, Seventh Edition
• Contemporary Cultural Anthropology, Third Edition

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