THE

FUNDAMENTALS
OF SOCIETY
 SOCIETY
"SOCIETAS" is the Latin ancestor of our modern word "society", and it all began with the
idea of being a friend and ally.

August Comte, the father of sociology saw society as a social organism

possessing a harmony of structure and function.

David Emile Durkheim's definition of society as a system of interrelated

parts, where none can function without the other.

Karl Marx's theory proposes that social classes compete for resources
such as housing, employment, and food within society.
 CULTURE
Culture is a complex system that shapes a society's identity, beliefs, values, practices, and
way of life. It is acquired through social learning and includes shared knowledge, customs,
arts, morals, laws, and other capabilities.

Robert Bierstedt defines culture as the overall collection of our thoughts, actions, and
possessions as members of society.

Malinowski defines culture as the handwork of man and medium through which he
achieves his ends.

C.C North defines culture as consist in the instruments constituted by men assist him in
satisfying his wants.
 TYPES OF CULTURE
MATERIAL NON - MATERIAL
CULTURE CULTURE
• The aspect of culture that refers to the physical • The intangible aspects of a society,
objects, resources, and spaces that people comprising of beliefs, values, norms, custom
use to define their culture. language, and ideologies.
 COMPONENTS OF SOCIETY
• Norms - Social norms are shared standards of acceptable behavior by groups .

• Values - Social values are rinciples that a society deems important and acceptable.

• Rituals - Set of actions performed mainly for their symbolic value.

• Symbols - Symbols are anything that carries meaning to a specific group of people or
culture.
• Language - A symbolic system through which people communicate and through which
culture is transmitted.

• Knowledge - Refers to socially constructed understanding and awarness shared

whithin a society , shaping beliefs , values and norms.
 FEATURES OF CULTURE
• Culture is shared.

• Culture is transmissive in nature.

• Culture is dynamic and adaptive.

• Culture varies from society to society.

• Culture satisfies human/social needs.

• Culture is not inborn; it is learned as a result of the socialization process.

 FUNCTION OF CULTURE
• Culture is a treasury of knowledge.

• Culture moulds personality.

• Culture provides behaviours pattern.

• Culture defines situations.

• Culture defines attitudes , values and goals.

• Culture decides our career.

 DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD
• Culture evolved gradually over time, shaping human civilization without a single

concrete beginning.

• Cultures worldwide have developed diversely.

• Cultural evolution is ongoing due to factors like beliefs, values, and technological

advancements.

• Technology fosters cross-cultural understanding and collaboration through global

connectivity.
 CULTURAL UNIVERSALS
• Cultural universals are global traits found in all societies.
• Sociologists study them to understand human behavior and
culture.
• They help highlight similarities and differences among societies.
• Examples include language, family structures, art, and tools.
 CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION
• Cultural globalization is the global spread and exchange of cultural elements;
values, norms, and ideas including media.
• Cultural globalization creates interconnectedness and interdependence
among societies
• Cultural globalization is initiated through various means, including
entertainment companies, restaurants, educational institutions, and other
factors.
• Technology has facilitated the exchange of information, leading to a more
interconnected global culture with a blend of diverse influences.
 CULTURAL DIFFUSION
• Cultural diffusion refers to the spreading or merging of different cultural
ideas.
• Cultural diffusion leads to cultural change, diversity, and the formation of
shared cultural characteristics between societies.
• Cultural diffusion happens through various means such as trade, migration,
or contact between cultures.
• Cultural diffusion involves the spread of cultural elements, such as
languages, traditions, and religious beliefs, between societies
 Positive Impacts of Technology on Culture
• Access to diverse cultural experiences and prespectives

• Preservation and promotion of cultural heritage

• Increased creativity and artistic expression through technology

• Enhanced cultural exchange and understanding

• Opportunities for virtual cultural events and gatherings

 Negative Impacts of Technology on Culture
• Decreased face-to-face interaction and community building

• Overreliance on technology and reduced physical engagement with the world

• Spread of harmful cultural stereotypes and misrepresentations

• Decreased attention spans and reduced depth of cultural engagement

• Challenges to traditional cultural industries and business models

PERSENTED BY :
NISEN YONGHANG
MANDIP NEUPANE
BIVEK DAHAL
BIDHAN LAMA
ABISHEK KHANAL