10 Traits of Culture
Learned behaviors, traditions, beliefs,
and ways of life created by groups of
people
1. Art
• The way the culture
expresses
themselves
• Paintings, pottery,
masks, statues
• What did the
culture contribute?
2. Language
• Languages spoken by
groups
• Also include
dialects-different
ways of speaking
same language
• Written, etc.
communicationfiction, non-fiction,
newspapers, etc.
3. Technology
• Tools that make
life easier
• Can be simple or
complex
• Includes
architecturebuilding styles
Plows
African
house
4. Food
• What people eat
• How food is
prepared
• Tools people use
to eat
• Settings in which
people eat
Haggis
Chopsticks
S’mores
5. Dress
• Clothing-can be
affected by
geography,
government, and
other factors
• Jewelry
• Body Decoration
India
South
Africa
6. Belief
• Ways people worship
• Organized religionsChristianity,
Judaism, Hinduism,
Islam, etc
• Native/Tribal
religions
• How and where
people worship
Islamic dress
Hindu temple
7. Family/Social Structure
• Members of the
family within home
• Nuclear familyparents and children
• Extended familycould also include
grandparents, aunts,
uncles, cousins, etc.
8. Customs and Traditions
• Long-established
practice usually
passed from one
generation to the
next
• Can be family or
cultural
• Includes holidays
Hawaiian dance
4th of July
9. Institutions
• 1. Education: a way the culture learns
• 2. Government: a set of laws and leaders
• 3. Economy: a way to make money
• 4. Religion: a way to practice your belief
10. Recreation
• Anything people
do for leisure or
fun
• Sports and games
• Passive activitiesreading, watching
television, etc
Soccer
Monopoly
Harry Potter
Ten Elements
1. Values and Beliefs
2. Language
3. Technology
4. Foods
5. Dress
6. Art
7. Social Structure
8. Customs and
Traditions
9. Institutions
10. Recreation