Culture is the learned and shared way of life of a group. — Adapted from sociological tradition
4.1 Culture: Material and Non-Material
Culture includes everything humans create and pass on:
- Material culture: tools, technology, buildings, clothing
- Non-material culture: beliefs, values, norms, language, art
Cultural relativism urges understanding practices in their own context rather than judging by one standard.
4.2 Components of Culture
- Symbols: objects or signs carrying shared meaning (flag, sacred text)
- Language: primary vehicle of culture and thought
- Norms and values: rules and ideals guiding behaviour
- Culture lag: when material culture changes faster than non-material culture (Ogburn)
India's diversity—languages, religions, cuisines, festivals—illustrates plural cultures within one political society.
4.3 Socialisation
Socialisation is the lifelong process through which individuals learn culture and become functioning members of society.
Primary socialisation occurs in childhood (family). Secondary socialisation continues in school, peer groups, media, and workplace.
Agencies of socialisation: family, school, peers, mass media, religion, state.
4.4 Resocialisation and Identity
Resocialisation involves unlearning old norms and adopting new ones (e.g. military training, migration).
Socialisation shapes gender roles, caste identity, and national belonging—often in ways people experience as "natural" rather than socially constructed.
Chapter Summary
- Culture: material and non-material elements of shared life
- Symbols, language, norms, and values are core components
- Socialisation: learning culture from infancy onward
- Primary vs secondary socialisation; key agencies listed
- Gender, caste, and national identity are socially learned
Exercises (NCERT)
- Exercise 1 — material vs non-material culture in Indian examples
- Exercise 2 — agencies of socialisation in your own experience
- Exercise 3 — gender socialisation in family and media