With references how will you define culture,and explain the characteristics of culture

Culture refers to the shared patterns of learned behaviors, beliefs, values, attitudes, institutions, and products of human work and thought that characterize a group or society. It is a complex system that shapes how individuals perceive the world, interact with each other, and adapt to their environment.

References for Definition:

• Tylor, E. B. (1871). Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Language, Art, and Custom. John Murray. Tylor's classic definition describes 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."
• Kroeber, A. L., & Kluckhohn, C. (1952). Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions. Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. This work compiled and analyzed over 160 definitions of culture, highlighting its learned, shared, and symbolic nature.

Characteristics of Culture:

• Learned: Culture is not innate; it is acquired through socialization, observation, and instruction from birth. Individuals learn their culture from family, peers, schools, and media.
• Shared: Culture is a collective phenomenon. It is shared by members of a group or society, allowing for common understanding and interaction.
• Symbolic: Culture relies heavily on symbols (language, gestures, objects) to convey meaning. These symbols are arbitrary but universally understood within a cultural group.
• Integrated: The various parts of a culture (e.g., economy, religion, family structure) are interconnected and form a coherent whole. Changes in one aspect can affect others.
• Adaptive: Culture helps individuals and groups adapt to their natural and social environments. It provides strategies for survival and problem-solving.
• Dynamic: Culture is not static; it is constantly changing and evolving over time through innovation, diffusion, and contact with other cultures.

References for Characteristics:

• Ferraro, G., & Andreatta, S. (2018). Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective (11th ed.). Cengage Learning. This textbook extensively discusses the characteristics of culture, emphasizing its learned, shared, symbolic, integrated, and adaptive nature.
• Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays. Basic Books. Geertz's work highlights the symbolic and interpretive aspects of culture, viewing it as a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms.