How is culture defined?

Culture is best understood as a group that shares themes and social mores, which encapsulates the collective identity and practices of a community. This definition emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals who share common values, traditions, rituals, and norms that guide their behaviors and interactions. It reflects the idea that culture is not merely an individual experience but a shared framework that influences how a group perceives the world and engages with one another.

The other options, while they touch on aspects of what influences culture or individual experiences, do not capture the broader, shared nature of culture itself. For example, defining culture as a set of beliefs held by an individual reduces it to personal values without considering the collective aspect that shapes social groups. Similarly, treating culture merely as a collection of historical events overlooks the present-day practices and social themes that are continuously evolving within communities. Finally, describing culture as an environment where one was raised emphasizes geographic and social contexts but fails to encompass the active, shared elements of identity and customs that bind a group together. Thus, recognizing culture as a communal phenomenon highlights its role in forming identity and social cohesion within a group.