Obtaining Culture
Maybe the most important characteristic of culture is that it is learned; it is not innate.
We learn culture through informal and formal learning. Informal learning takes place well before formal learning and is usually without one being too aware of the process.
Informal learning is often achieved in an unintentional, often not attention attracting way, and normally takes place through interaction, observation, and imitation.
Learning through interaction for example is when your parents kiss and or hug you and you learn about kissing and hugging—who, when, where to kiss and to hug.
Learning through observation for example is when you see parents or older siblings ask for the blessing of the food before eating—religious beliefs and gratefulness.
Learning through imitation for example is when you laugh at the same funny things your parents or other people find amusing—humor.
Formal learning of a culture is far more structured and is often left to the various social institutions of the culture, such as schools and religious institutions.
Number one, is the fact that culture is learned; secondly, culture is largely learnt through the four main cultural institutions, namely the family, religious institutions, schools, and the community; thirdly is the fact that culture gets reinforced throughout life.