What Is Culture? Definition, Examples, and Core Concepts

You hear the word “culture” all the time — company culture, pop culture, ancient cultures — but pinning down one crisp meaning is surprisingly tricky. The term has been debated by anthropologists, sociologists, and policymakers for over 150 years.

First anthropological definition year: 1871 (Edward Tylor) ·
UNESCO definition adoption year: 1982 (Encyclopaedia Britannica) ·
Estimated number of distinct cultures worldwide: 3,000–5,000

Five key facts, one pattern: the definition of culture has expanded from a single 19th-century academic formulation to a multi-lens concept used across disciplines.

What is a simple definition of culture?

At its simplest, culture refers to the shared beliefs, behaviors, objects, and values that characterize a group or society, as commonly defined in sociology and anthropology (CliffsNotes (study guide)). The Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work) expands this to include language, ideas, customs, codes, institutions, tools, techniques, works of art, rituals, and ceremonies. Culture is learned, not innate; it is passed down through generations via socialization (Sociology Lens).

How do anthropologists define culture?

The foundational anthropological definition comes from Edward Burnett Tylor in his 1871 book Primitive Culture. He described culture as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society” (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).

• Tylor’s definition was the first academic attempt to define culture as a universal human phenomenon (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
• Later anthropologists like Franz Boas advanced cultural relativism — the idea that cultures should be understood on their own terms, not judged by another culture’s standards (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
• Over 160 definitions of culture exist in the anthropological literature.

What is the difference between culture and society?

Culture and society are closely related but distinct concepts. Society refers to a group of people who share a geographical territory and interact with each other. Culture, by contrast, refers to the shared meanings, values, and practices that bind that group together. As Lumen Learning explains, “you cannot have a society without culture, and you cannot have a culture without society.”

Which best defines culture?

No single definition satisfies every scholar. Anthropologists have catalogued over 160 distinct definitions of culture, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work). The most cited definition remains Tylor’s 1871 formulation, but several other influential definitions have emerged.

What is the best academic definition of culture?

Two definitions dominate academic literature:

• Tylor’s definition (1871): Broadly ethnographic, treating culture as the entire way of life of a people. This is the most cited definition in anthropology (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
• UNESCO’s definition (1982): Adopted at the World Conference on Cultural Policies in Mexico City, UNESCO defines culture as “the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of a society or a social group.” This definition includes not only arts and letters but also modes of life, human rights, value systems, traditions, and beliefs.

How do different sources define culture?

Sources approach culture from different angles. The Blackwell Publishing sample chapter on culture distinguishes three definitional types: aesthetic definitions (emphasizing elite arts like opera and ballet), ethnographic definitions (treating culture as a whole way of life), and symbolic definitions (focusing on shared meanings and symbols) (Blackwell Publishing (academic publisher)).

The implication: for students and researchers, the “best” definition is the one that fits their analytical lens. A sociologist studying inequality will use a different definition than a museum curator planning an exhibition.

What are the 4 examples of culture?

Culture manifests in both tangible and intangible forms. Four widely cited examples of culture are language, religion, cuisine, and art, as referenced in sociological frameworks (Lumen Learning). But the concept goes deeper when classified as material vs. non-material culture.

What is material culture?

Material culture includes physical objects that a society creates and uses. As Howard Community College Pressbooks details, examples include tools, technology, clothing, eating utensils, and means of transportation. The British Racing Green – Origins, Evolution and Legacy article illustrates how a color associated with automobiles became a cultural artifact rooted in national identity.

What is non-material culture?

Non-material culture, also called symbolic culture, comprises the intangible aspects of a society: values, beliefs, symbols, language, and norms (Howard Community College Pressbooks). This includes formal norms (mores and laws), informal norms (folkways), and rituals — established procedures that mark transitions in the life course, such as weddings or graduations (Howard Community College Pressbooks).

What are cultural universals?

Cultural universals are patterns or traits found across all human societies. One prominent example is the family unit, which exists in some form in every known culture (Lumen Learning). Other universals include language, storytelling, rituals, and taboos. The concept helps researchers distinguish between human universals and culturally specific variations.

The trade-off: cultural universals provide a useful framework for comparison, but they risk oversimplifying the vast diversity of human experience. A universal like “family” takes vastly different forms across societies.

What are the 5 P’s of culture?

The 5 P’s of culture is a model developed by Sheila Margolis to analyze and align organizational culture. The five dimensions are Purpose, Philosophy, Priorities, Practices, and Projections (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).

What do the 5 P’s stand for?

• Purpose: The organization’s reason for existing beyond profit.
• Philosophy: The core beliefs and values that guide decision-making.
• Priorities: What the organization focuses on and values most highly.
• Practices: Daily behaviors, processes, and rituals that embody the culture.
• Projections: How the organization presents itself to the outside world.

How are the 5 P’s used in organizational culture?

Companies use the 5 P’s framework to diagnose cultural misalignment. When an organization’s stated values (Philosophy) conflict with actual behavior (Practices), employees experience tension. The model provides a structured way to identify gaps and implement change (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).

The pattern: the 5 P’s mirror the move from anthropological definitions of culture (descriptive) to organizational definitions (prescriptive). In a corporate context, culture is not just something you have — it is something you can shape.

What is culture in sociology?

In sociology, culture is understood as the shared meanings and practices that structure social life. It provides the lens through which people interpret their world and the framework for social interaction (Lumen Learning).

How does sociology define culture?

Sociologists typically divide culture into two broad categories: material and non-material. They emphasize that culture is learned, shared, and transmitted through socialization. One common sociological framework distinguishes four types of culture, as outlined by ReviseSociology:

• Folk culture: Local, everyday practices rooted in long-standing traditions, often dating to pre-industrial times.
• Popular or mass culture: Cultural products manufactured for mass consumption in modern capitalist societies — think streaming series, fast fashion, and pop music.
• High culture: Cultural products perceived as the pinnacle of creative achievement and given higher social status, such as opera, classical ballet, and fine art.
• Low culture: Cultural products considered less refined or of lower status, often overlapping with popular culture.

What is culture in microbiology?

In microbiology, a “culture” refers to the process of growing microorganisms — such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses — in a controlled laboratory environment using a nutrient medium. This is a completely different meaning from the sociological definition. Scientists use cultures to study pathogens, test antibiotics, and produce vaccines.

What is culture for kids?

For children, culture is most easily explained as a group’s way of life — the things people do, the stories they tell, the food they eat, the holidays they celebrate. The Lumen Learning framework for teaching culture to young students uses concrete examples like music, clothing, and festivals to make the abstract concept tangible. The Sydney Opera House: History, Facts, Tours & Visitor Guide is a good example of how an architectural landmark embodies cultural identity and becomes a symbol for a nation’s artistic aspirations.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Key perspectives on culture

“Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”

— Edward B. Tylor, Primitive Culture (1871) (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work))

“Culture is the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of a society or a social group.”

— UNESCO Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies (1982)

These two quotes — separated by over a century — show how the definition of culture evolved from a British anthropologist’s sweeping vision of a “complex whole” to an international body’s policy-oriented framework. Both definitions remain influential to this day.

Frequently asked questions