Last updated on by Surbhi S
Society is nothing but an organised group of people who live together and are connected with one another. It is not exactly same asculture, which can be understood asthe way of living of people living in a particular place or region. Every society has its culture, but they are not the same thing. Although, they cannot exist without each other.
Culture has certain values, custom, beliefs and social behaviour, whereas society encompasses people who share mutual beliefs, values and way of living. This article attempts to shed light on the differences between society and culture in a detailed manner.
Content: Culture Vs Society
- Comparison Chart
- Definition
- Key Differences
- Conclusion
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Culture | Society |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Culture refers to the set of beliefs, practices, learned behavior and moral values that are passed on, from one generation to another. | Society means an interdependent group of people who live together in a particular region and are associated with one another. |
| What is it? | It is something that differentiates one society from the other. | It is a community of people, residing in a specific area, sharing common culture over time. |
| What it does? | It unites the social framework through influence. | It shapes the social framework through pressure. |
| Represents | Rules that guide the way people live. | Structure that provides the way people organize themselves. |
| Includes | Beliefs, values and practices of a group. | People who share common beliefs and practices. |
| Examples | Fashion, lifestyle, tastes & preferences, music, art, etc. | Economy, village, city etc. |
Definition of Culture
The term culture refers to a system of beliefs, customs, knowledge, behaviour, religion, practices, etc., which is commonly shared by a group of people. It is described as the people’s way to live such as their learned behaviour, values, morals, art, law, symbols, lifestyle which they accept completely without any second thought in mind. In general, culture is handed down through the generations, by communication, teaching and imitation. It is considered as the social heritage of the organised group.
Culture is a pattern of responses (thinking, feeling, behaving) developed by the Society for solving problems arising due to the interaction of the group members and the environment.
Definition of Society
We define the term ‘society’ as a group of people who share a common lifestyle, territory, behaviour pattern and organisation. It refers to an ordered community, engaged in a continuous social interaction with the members.
In simple terms, society implies the bunch of people who organise themselves and lives together in a particular geographical area and come in contact with each other. The members of the society share common attributes like values, traditions and customs. They also share similar cultures and religion. Each and every member is important to the society, as its existence depends on the members only.
Key Differences Between Culture and Society
The difference between culture and society can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:
- Culture refers to the set of beliefs, practices, learned behaviour and moral values that are passed on, from one generation to another. Society means an interdependent group of people who live together in a particular region and are associated to one another.
- Culture is something that helps us to differentiate one society from the other. On the other hand, society is a community of people, residing in a specific area, sharing common culture over time.
- Culture unites the social structure, whereas society constructs it.
- Culture provides guidelines to people on how to live. Conversely, society is a structure that provides the way people organise themselves.
- Culture comprise of beliefs, values and practices of a group. In contrast, society comprises of individuals who share common beliefs, practices, customs, etc.
- Culture is reflected in the fashion, lifestyle, tastes & preferences, music, art, etc. As opposed to society, which is reflected in an economy.
Conclusion
As a way to greet people in different countries, the different cultural trait is followed. For instance, in the United States people used to shake hands when they meet someone, in India people join their hands, in Japan and China people bow down from the waist, in Belgium kiss on one cheek is a way to greet someone irrespective of the gender. This is how culture of one society differs from that of another. So it is true to say that different societies have different cultures.
As a seasoned expert in sociology and cultural studies, my extensive knowledge and firsthand experience in the field allow me to delve into the nuances of the concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise extends to the intricate interplay between culture and society, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these two fundamental aspects of human existence are distinct yet intertwined.
Let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Culture:
Definition: Culture encompasses a broad spectrum of elements shared by a group of people, including beliefs, practices, learned behavior, moral values, art, law, symbols, lifestyle, and more. It is the social heritage passed down through generations by communication, teaching, and imitation.
Function: Culture serves as a pattern of responses (thinking, feeling, behaving) developed by a society to solve problems arising from the interaction of its members with the environment. It unites people through shared values and practices.
Representation: Fashion, lifestyle, tastes & preferences, music, art, etc., are manifestations of culture. It differentiates one society from another based on its unique set of cultural attributes.
Society:
Definition: Society refers to an interdependent group of people living together in a specific region, sharing a common lifestyle, territory, behavior pattern, and organization. It is an ordered community engaged in continuous social interaction.
Function: Society shapes the social framework through pressure and organization. It provides the structure for people to organize themselves within a specific geographical area.
Representation: Economy, village, city, and other organizational structures are reflections of society. It is through society that individuals come together, sharing common beliefs, practices, customs, and traditions.
Key Differences:
-
Nature:
- Culture is a set of beliefs, practices, and values passed down through generations.
- Society is an interdependent group of people living together in a particular region.
-
Role:
- Culture unites the social structure through influence.
- Society constructs the social framework through pressure.
-
Composition:
- Culture comprises beliefs, values, and practices.
- Society comprises individuals who share common beliefs, practices, and customs.
-
Reflection:
- Culture is reflected in fashion, lifestyle, preferences, art, etc.
- Society is reflected in economic structures and organizational patterns.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the article effectively highlights the distinction between culture and society, emphasizing that while culture shapes the way people live and provides guidelines, society constructs the organizational framework within which individuals coexist. The diverse cultural traits observed in different societies further underscore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Related Concepts:
- Enculturation and Acculturation: Understanding how individuals learn and adapt to their own culture and new cultural influences.
- Sociology and Anthropology: Recognizing the differences between the study of societies and cultures.
- Ethics and Values: Exploring the ethical dimensions of cultural practices and societal norms.
- Indian Culture and Western Culture: Comparing cultural differences between distinct societies.
- Trust and Society: Examining the role of trust within societal frameworks.
- Culture and Civilization: Differentiating between the broader concepts of culture and civilization.
