Lonner (1995): Culture can be defined as the common rules that regulate interactions and behaviour in a group as well as a number of shared values and attitudes in the group.
Hofstede (1995): Culture can be defined as a collective mental programming that is the “software of the mind” that guides a group of people in their daily interactions and distinguishes them from other groups of people.
Matsumoto (2004): Culture can be defined as a dynamic system of rules, explicit and implicit, established by groups in order to ensure their survival, involving attitudes, values, beliefs, norms, and behaviours.
Levels of culture:
Surface culture: changes rapidly, e.g. music, clothing hair
Deep culture: slow to change, e.g. religion, philosophical beliefs
CULTURE NORMS
Cultural norms can be defined as the rules that a specific group uses for stating what is seen as appropriate and inappropriate behaviours, values, beliefs, and attitudes.
Cultural norms give people a sense of order and control in their lives as well as a sense of safety and belonging. Cultural norms may encompass communication style, whom to marry and how, child-rearing practices, or interaction between generations.
Cultural norms can be explicit (e.g. legal codes) or implicit (i.e. conventional practices and rituals).
They are maintained through gate keepers
GATE KEEPERS: parents, teachers, religious leaders, media, peers