Culture and Society

Culture and society are two different concepts. Each has its
own meaning and function.
Culture
•According to Edward B. Tylor, culture is "that complex
whole which encompasses beliefs, practices, values, attitudes,
laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and everything
that a person learns and shares as a member of society."
•Culture also encompasses social institutions like the family,
church, school, and government.
•Our culture defines who we are.
•Whatever it is that we do is part of our culture.
Society
•Society can be defined as the interaction among people
where a common culture can be shared.
•Society can also refer to people from a particular place that
shares the same culture.
•A common location may not just develop a common culture.
It can also be formed by gender, shared beliefs, values, norms,
or activities.
For example, people from Bicol love spicy food while people
from Iloilo are known to be sweet and caring.

The Relationship of Culture and Society

Culture and society are two closely related concepts. For culture
to exist and to be developed, it needs human interaction. It
needs people to interact with one another, and it needs people to
practice it continuously. Without a society practicing their
common culture, the culture may cease to exist.
Culture is also essential to society because, without culture,
society will be dull and will not continue to thrive. A society
without culture is like a body without a soul and vice versa.
Culture and society need each other so they can both develop
and prosper.
Aspects of Culture: Dynamic, Flexible,
and Adaptive
There are different aspects of culture like art,
music, language, food, daily life, clothing, and
religion to name a few. These aspects of
culture show us that culture
is dynamic, flexible, and adaptive.
Culture constantly changes and adapts to the
current state of society. It continuously
restores itself whenever customs do not fit in
the current situation anymore. It does not
remain stagnant.
Examples:
•In the aspect of music, we can see that music
may change from time to time. The
traditional music during the 1920s was
mostly jazz, ragtime, and broadway music
while the popular music during the 1970s was
disco music.
•Because we are now more inclined to use
computers and tablets especially when
playing games, some children are not able to
play street games anymore. This pushed
some game developers to introduce Filipino
street games as video games.
•When it comes to language, we can also see
how culture adapts to changing times. We
have already developed new words related to
the internet like memes, netizens, vines, and
others.
Aspects of Culture: Shared and
Contested
Culture is learned and acquired through
different interactions with people. Culture is
a shared learning experience. Because culture
constantly changes, we get to share the
learning process with other people.

If culture is learned and shared, it is

also contested in various ways and
situations. Because of diversity, culture
is subjected to debate and analysis.
 QUIZ – CULTURE AND SOCIETY

1. What is the complex whole which encompasses beliefs,

practices, values, norms, and everything that a person
learns and shares as a member of society?
a. society
b. beliefs
c. tradition
d. culture

2. What is defined as the interaction among people from the

same territory who share the same culture?
a. society
b. friendship
c. state
d. religion

3. What will happen if society does not have any form of culture?
a. Society will be dull and will not continue to develop.
b. People will prosper and will enjoy the benefits of society.
c. The society will gain economic growth.
d. It will not matter.

4.What would happen if our culture is not dynamic and adaptive?

a. Our country will be recognized as a great country because we
have a unique culture.
b. Our culture will not fit the current trends in society and might
contradict it.
c. Our society will be more fruitful and colorful.
d. Our society will continue to prosper because it will not be
affected by our culture.

5. Which of the following best describes Filipinos?

a. hospitable
b. pretentious
c. serious
d. obnoxious
 PERFORMANCE OUTPUT

As a student,
what can you
do to help
preserve our
culture and
traditions?