Culture

Culture in general refers to the distinctive human values and activity within a specific geographic area. Originating during the 19th century, culture is considered an individual quality within the context of European Romaticism. While in the 20th century, culture as a perception came into view as fundamental to American anthropology and started the application of culture to human values and activities with respect to human species and global variations. The term culture however became more significant following World War II, collecting various meanings in cultural studies and sociology. A critical review from compiled definitions of culture in 1952 revealed the reference of culture to momentous deeds resulting from both individual creativity and social learning.

During the period of English romanticism, culture has been mostly referred to by a British poet as the cultivation o humanist ideals. A British anthropologist defined culture in a universal and inclusive sense. In a practical sense, culture evolved to mean an elite ideal associated with arts, cultural music and haute cuisine.

On another perspective, the Romantic Movement showed interest in folklore leading to the theory of culture with non-elites. The obvious discrepancy of the meaning of culture as exemplified between a "high culture" and "low culture" portrayed inequalities within European societies that evolved during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The critique of having "high and low culture" was later contrasted between "civilized" and "uncivilized". Following the arguments some claimed that the distinction between high and low culture is a real portrayal of the conflict between European elites and non-elites while other claimed that the distinction between civilized and uncivilized culture is a true to life depiction of European conflict between the Colonial powers and their colonial subjects.

The German Romanticism period brought further evolution to the definition of culture. Though this period came about with a more inclusive definition of culture, it still allowed difference between "civilized" and "primitive" or "tribal" culture.

Changing lives and culture definition

Culture is affected internally by forces encouraging as well as resisting change. These relate to social relations and natural trials that continue to pursue cultural practices and ideas with structures that are equally subject to change.

Culture in its external relations is influenced through contact with other societies, which may either produce or limit transformation of cultural practices and value. The shift of belief in culture may diffuse from one society to another or may me done through acculturation. Acculturation process however was effectively used to replace culture of certain Native American tribes and many Indigenous Peoples across many nations during colonization. Assimilation and transculturation followed in the process at an individual level.