Nine Traits of Culture
What are the Nine Traits of Culture?
The “Nine Traits of Culture” serve as a framework for the
study of culture in human societies.
1. Language
2. History
3. Food and Shelter (Types / Styles)
4. Education Systems
5. Security/Protection
6. Relationships – Family and Others
7. Political and Social Organizations
8. Religion (beliefs / morals / mores)
9. Creative Expression – Recreation
1. Language
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Allows for communication to exist, helps establish cultural identities
Oral tradition - Helps pass cultural traits along through generations
There are between 3,000 and 6,500 different languages spoken in the world today
Dialect – different versions of the same basic language
2. History
• Every culture has a past, present, and
a future.
• Events in the past often directly shape
the elements of a modern culture .
• Includes festivals and holidays that
celebrate or remember the past.
3. Food and Shelter –
The places we live and the things we eat
4. Education
• How culture is taught or learned
1. Formal – Schools, Universities, Religion (church)
2. In-Formal – Family, Friends, Social Clubs / Groups
5. Security/Protection
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Organized Military Forces
Organized Police Forces
Family/Tribal Militias and Gangs
Individual Self-Defense
6. Relationships – Family and Others
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Relatives
Family Living Arrangements
Friendships
Romantic Relationships and Marriages
Classmates / Co-Workers
7. Political and social organization
• Government System
– Make rules and laws to keep
society in order
• Clubs
– Examples? Boys and Girls,
Boy Scouts, FFA, Optimists,
• Fraternal organizations
– Kiwanis, University, Veterans,
Masonic Lodges etc.
8. Religion
The belief in a supernatural power or powers,
responsible for the creation and maintenance of the
universe, and associated practices.
Major Types of Religions?
1. Monotheistic – belief in one god
2. Polytheistic – belief in many gods
3. Animistic or Traditional – belief in the forces of
nature
9. Creative Expression - Recreation
• Music
– instruments, singing
• Art
– Paintings, sculpture,
photography
• Dance
• Theater
• Literature
– Novels, Poems
• Architecture
• Sports
• Outdoor activities
• Hobbies
What is your culture?