What is the Difference Between Culture and Subculture?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between culture and subculture lies in their scope and characteristics.
Culture refers to the shared beliefs, practices, and ways of life of the people in a particular society. It encompasses various aspects such as language, social norms, beliefs, art, literature, music, traditions, pastimes, values, knowledge, and religion. Culture is a broader concept that is often more intensive than subculture.
Subculture, on the other hand, is a smaller, distinct group within a society that shares its own unique norms and values. Subcultures are self-organizing and can be based on various factors such as hobbies, art movements, music scenes, fashion, philosophy, or lifestyle. People may choose to join a subculture, but they are also often born into it.
In summary:
- Culture is the broader set of shared beliefs and practices of a society.
- Subculture is a smaller, distinct group within that society with its own unique norms and values.
Some examples of subcultures within a larger culture include ethnic and racial groups that share the language, food, and customs of their heritage, or biker culture, which revolves around a dedication to motorcycles.
Comparative Table: Culture vs Subculture
Here is a table comparing the differences between culture and subculture:
| Feature | Culture | Subculture |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Culture can be defined as the ways of life of the people in a particular society, encompassing the shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices of a larger group of people. | Subculture refers to a smaller group within a larger culture that shares its own unique set of beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts. |
| Scope | Culture is shared by all members of a society and is the dominant way of life. | Subculture is only shared by segments in the society and is unique to specific groups of people. |
| Examples | National, regional, or organizational culture (e.g., American culture, Japanese culture, Southern U.S. culture, Norther U.S. culture). | Subcultures can form around a wide range of interests, including music, fashion, sports, and more. |
| Impact on Subculture | The main culture can have a significant impact on changing the subculture, as subcultures are influenced by the dominant culture. | Subcultures can affect the dominant culture, occasionally replacing it. |
In summary, culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices of a larger group of people, while subculture is a smaller group within a larger culture that shares its own unique set of beliefs, values, customs, and practices.
- Subculture vs Counterculture
- Society vs Culture
- Culture vs Diversity
- Culture vs Lifestyle
- Culture vs Tradition
- Culture vs Religion
- Culture vs Civilization
- Art vs Culture
- Ethnicity vs Culture
- Culture vs Heritage
- Culture vs Identity
- Cultural vs Social
- History vs Culture
- Character vs Culture
- Social Behavior vs Culture
- High Culture vs Popular Culture
- Cultural vs Ethnic
- Social Change vs Cultural Change
- Social vs Cultural Anthropology