THE 16 CHARACTERISTICS OF

CULTURE
All groups have these
characteristics. They may not be
the same, as they may have
different religions, but they will
have a religion.
(1) Family Unit
The people who live in
your house.
Nuclear Family consists
of parent (s) and
children
Extended Family
consists of parent (s)
and other members as
grandparents
(2) History
What has happened in
your groups past
History can be for an
entire country or one
particular group within
a country.
(3) Traditions and Customs
Special events, special
ways of celebrating
that are done in a
family, community, or
nation.

(4) Geography
Land, water, and
climate features that
affect the lives of
people
Geography influences
jobs, clothing, shelter,
transportation, etc.
(5) Food Habits
The foods available to
eat.
How the food is
prepared
How the food is eaten
as with fingers,
silverware, etc.
(6) Dress
What people wear:
clothing, shoes,
headgear, jewelry,
etc.
(7) Architecture
Building styles
Building materials
(8) Economy
How goods and
services are produced
and distributed.
Management of
resources and wealth
(9) Language and Literature
Spoken word
Written word
(10) Technology
Technology deals with
industrial or
mechanical arts as:
televisions, satellite,
computers,
telephone, etc.
(11) Laws and Government
Laws and rules that
everyone must follow
to keep society safe.
Government provides
organization needed
for society to function.
(12) Belief System
Religion/Values
Belief in God or gods
to be worshiped and is
usually expressed in
conduct and ritual
Values are social
principles, goals, or
standards held by the
individual or a group
(13) Arts
Creative works from a
group as: paintings,
plays, opera, music,
sculpture, etc.
(14) Transportation
How people move
from place to place as
automobiles, planes,
etc.
(15) Education
System for teaching
and passing
knowledge to others
(16) Recreation
Recreation: what
people do in their
spare time as: skiing,
fishing, golfing, etc.