Social Behavior vs Culture
Understanding the relationship between social behavior and culture involves examining how they are connected to one another. Culture is a way to express a society’s characteristics through various means such as art, music, traditions, lifestyles, and knowledge. It is a social phenomenon, and each society has its own unique cultural values. Social behavior is also a social phenomenon and refers to the way individuals act within social settings. Typically, social behaviors are influenced by a society’s cultural values, meaning that a person’s behavior reflects the cultural values held by their society. This article will further explore these concepts.
What is Culture?
Culture is a social phenomenon that represents the characteristics of a specific society. It encompasses art, music, knowledge, beliefs, habits, values, and more, with most members of a particular society sharing these cultural traits. Culture is not biologically inherited; instead, it is acquired socially. Infants learn cultural traits by observing the behavior of adults. Furthermore, culture is dynamic and changes over time, with all members of a society contributing to these changes. The music, food, clothing patterns, and lifestyles of a certain period are influenced by the culture of that era. For instance, the ancient king’s era had a completely different lifestyle compared to the modern era, a change brought about by cultural shifts. Although art, music, food, and clothing are material representations of culture, culture itself is an abstract phenomenon. Culture influences the behavior of individuals within a society and brings diverse people together to form a unique community.
What is Social Behavior?
Social behavior refers to the way individuals within a society interact with one another and can be described as behavior directed toward society. Social behavior is generally influenced by the cultural values and traditions of a specific society. Those who deviate from accepted social behavioral patterns are considered deviants. Social behavior helps to unite diverse individuals and encourages sharing and caring among community members. Moreover, social behaviors are characterized by various social interactions and relationships, which means that behavioral patterns may change depending on the situation and people involved. Social behaviors are acquired and learned through observation and interaction during the process of socialization.
Key Takeaways
- Culture and social behavior are both social phenomena, with culture primarily determining an individual’s social behavior.
- Neither culture nor social behavior is biologically inherited; they are both acquired through social interactions and experiences.
- Culture is a collection of material and non-material aspects, while social behavior is an individual phenomenon shaped by culture.
