Question

Which of the following is a correct statement ?

• A. Culture is learned through the process of enculturation and not by heredity
• B. Culture consists of material aspects only
• C. Culture is always that of individual and not society
• D. Culture exists in rural societies only

Hint:

Culture is socially learned through enculturation. It is not biologically inherited and includes both material and non-material aspects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Culture is one of the most important concepts in anthropology. It refers to the learned behavior, beliefs, customs, traditions, values, and practices shared by members of society. Culture is:
• Learned,
• Shared,
• Social,
• Transmitted from generation to generation. It is not inherited biologically.

Step 1: Understanding enculturation. Enculturation refers to: \[ \text{The process through which individuals learn their culture} \] This learning occurs through:
• Family,
• Society,
• Education,
• Social interaction,
• Traditions. Culture is therefore: \[ Acquired socially and not genetically inherited \] Hence: \[ \text{Option (A) is correct.} \]

Step 2: Analyzing Option (B). Option (B) states: \[ \text{Culture consists of material aspects only} \] This statement is incorrect because culture includes:
• Material culture,
• Non-material culture. Non-material culture includes:
• Beliefs,
• Language,
• Values,
• Norms,
• Religion. Therefore, culture is not limited to material aspects alone.

Step 3: Analyzing Option (C). Option (C) states: \[ \text{Culture is always that of individual and not society} \] This is incorrect because culture is: \[ Shared by society \] Although individuals participate in culture, it is fundamentally a collective social phenomenon. Hence, incorrect.

Step 4: Analyzing Option (D). Option (D) states: \[ \text{Culture exists in rural societies only} \] This statement is also incorrect because:
• Rural societies have culture,
• Urban societies also have culture,
• Every human society possesses culture. Thus, incorrect.

Step 5: Final conclusion. Since culture is learned through enculturation and not heredity, the correct answer becomes: \[ \boxed{\text{(A) Culture is learned through the process of enculturation and not by heredity}} \]