What Constitutes Culture?

Before we begin, let us answer these question: What is culture? What is not a part of the culture?

Is this painting by Van Gogh a part of the culture?

Let's find out the answer in this segment.

In the previous segment, you learnt about the various definitions of culture and its meaning.

In this video, Dr Ritu Sen will highlight the ingredients that make up the complex and intricate term ‘culture’. 

In this video, you learnt about the elements of culture discussed by Edward Taylor and B. Malinowski. Culture is divided into the following two major categories: material culture and nonmaterial culture.

• Material culture constitutes tools and technology, clothing and utensils, etc. These are the tangible aspects of culture.

• Nonmaterial culture constitutes values, norms, symbols and beliefs, etc. These are the intangible aspects of culture.

In the next segment, you will learn about the modes in which culture operates.