What is Culture?

There are many definitions of culture. This definition from anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn encompasses many of the critical elements.

“Culture consists of patterned ways of thinking, feeling, and reacting, acquired and transmitted mainly by symbols. […] The essential core of culture consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their attached values.”

(From “Variations in Value Organizations”)

All of the social groups that you are part of have their own individual culture. You might see cultures in:

• Genders
• Ethnicities
• Nationalities
• Religions
• Professions
• Industries
• Organizations
• And more!