Purpose of Culture
· Provides Social Identity
One of the central purposes of culture is to provide individuals with a sense of social identity and belonging. Through shared language, values, traditions, and symbols, culture helps people recognize themselves as part of a distinct social group. This shared identity unites individuals and creates a collective consciousness that distinguishes one community from another. For instance, in Nepal, festivals like Dashain and Tihar not only express religious devotion but also reinforce cultural identity among diverse ethnic groups, promoting unity and pride in national heritage. As BNS Institute of Behavioral Sciences (2023) notes, culture gives meaning to social membership by shaping “who we are” within a society and defining how we relate to others.
· Ensures Social Cohesion and Integration
Culture plays a vital role in maintaining social cohesion and integration by uniting individuals through shared beliefs, values, and norms that guide collective life. It provides the moral and ethical foundation that enables people to cooperate, coexist peacefully, and work toward common goals. Through customs, rituals, and traditions, culture fosters a sense of mutual understanding and belonging within society. For example, in Nepal, community practices such as guthi (a traditional social organization) and cooperative participation in festivals and rituals strengthen solidarity among members, reinforcing trust and interdependence. As noted by the BNS Institute of Behavioral Sciences (2023), culture serves as the social “glue” that binds people together, ensuring harmony and stability within communities.
· Guides Behaviour and Decision-Making
Culture functions as a powerful guide for human behaviour and decision-making, providing individuals with frameworks for determining what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. It establishes moral codes, customs, and social expectations that influence choices in daily life, from family relationships to professional conduct. Through cultural norms, people learn how to behave appropriately within their social context. For instance, in Nepalese society, the cultural value of samman (respect) guides behaviour toward elders, teachers, and community leaders, shaping interpersonal interactions and decisions rooted in politeness and hierarchy. As noted by Your Article Library, culture offers “ready-made definitions” of situations that help individuals act in socially acceptable ways, thereby maintaining order and predictability in society.
· Transmits Knowledge and Traditions
A key purpose of culture is to transmit knowledge, values, and traditions from one generation to the next, ensuring the continuity of social life and collective identity. Through language, rituals, education, and storytelling, culture preserves accumulated wisdom, skills, and beliefs that shape how societies function and evolve. This intergenerational transmission allows people to learn from past experiences and maintain a sense of historical continuity. For example, in Nepal, oral traditions such as lok geet (folk songs) and lok katha (folk tales) serve as cultural tools for teaching moral lessons, community values, and local history to younger generations. As Encyclopaedia Britannica (2024) explains, culture functions as the vehicle through which societies store and communicate their knowledge, enabling humans to build upon the intellectual and moral heritage of those who came before.
· Provides Meaning and Interpretation
Culture serves the essential purpose of providing meaning and interpretation to human experiences, guiding individuals in understanding their world and social reality. It offers symbolic frameworks—through religion, language, art, and customs—that help people make sense of life events, relationships, and social roles. By interpreting situations through cultural lenses, individuals derive purpose and coherence in their daily lives. For instance, in Nepal, cultural and religious beliefs surrounding life and death—such as performing shraddha rituals to honor ancestors—help families interpret loss and maintain spiritual connection across generations. According to Your Article Library, culture defines how people perceive and respond to situations, shaping their interpretations of both ordinary and extraordinary experiences.
· Regulates Social Conduct
One of the important purposes of culture is to regulate social conduct by setting norms, rules, and expectations that shape individual and group behaviour. Cultural norms function as informal systems of social control, guiding people toward conformity and discouraging deviant actions. These norms are embedded in customs, traditions, and moral codes that define acceptable behaviour within a society. For example, in Nepal, cultural expectations rooted in respect for elders, modest dress, and appropriate gender roles regulate everyday interactions and maintain social order within families and communities. As Bench Partner (2024) notes, culture operates as a moral compass that upholds discipline and harmony by determining what behaviours are approved or disapproved in a given society.
· Provides Design for Living
Culture provides a design for living by offering established patterns, routines, and frameworks that guide daily life and social interactions. These cultural templates help individuals navigate personal, familial, and community responsibilities without having to create rules from scratch. For example, in Nepal, cultural practices around meals, hospitality, and festival celebrations—such as sharing dal-bhat communally or organizing Tihar rituals—provide structured ways of living that reinforce social norms and relationships. According to AgriFair (2020), culture acts as a ready-made guide that shapes behaviour, expectations, and lifestyles, enabling individuals to function effectively within their society.
· Shapes Personality and Identity Formation
Culture plays a crucial role in shaping personality and identity formation by instilling values, beliefs, roles, and social expectations that influence how individuals perceive themselves and interact with others. Through socialization, cultural norms guide behaviour, attitudes, and emotional responses, helping individuals develop a coherent sense of self within their community. For example, in Nepal, children raised in collectivist ethnic communities often learn the importance of family loyalty, respect for elders, and community participation from a young age, which becomes integral to their personal identity and social conduct. As noted by the University of Mumbai (2019), culture molds personalities by embedding societal values and expectations into individual behaviour, creating a link between personal identity and social belonging.
· Differentiates Humans from Other Species
Culture is a defining feature that differentiates humans from other species, as it enables symbolic communication, complex social organization, and the transmission of knowledge beyond biological instincts. Unlike other animals, humans rely on shared language, rituals, and norms to coordinate behaviour, preserve traditions, and create meaning. For example, in Nepal, the practice of celebrating Maghe Sankranti involves specific rituals, songs, and symbolic foods that reflect cultural knowledge passed through generations—something unique to humans as it combines symbolic meaning with social coordination. According to Bench Partner (2024), culture sets humans apart by providing systems of thought and behaviour that extend beyond survival instincts, allowing for advanced social, moral, and intellectual development.
· Enables Adaptation to the Environment
Culture enables humans to adapt to both their physical and social environments by providing knowledge, practices, and social structures that facilitate survival and effective interaction. Through cultural tools such as technology, customs, and social norms, communities develop strategies to cope with environmental challenges and maintain social harmony. For example, in the mountainous regions of Nepal, traditional terrace farming, water conservation practices, and seasonal festivals like Tihar not only reflect agricultural cycles but also help communities adapt to harsh climatic conditions and strengthen social bonds. As AgriFair (2020) explains, culture equips societies with behavioral patterns and innovations that allow them to survive, thrive, and maintain continuity in changing environments.
· Maintains Continuity and Stability
Culture plays a crucial role in maintaining continuity and stability within society by preserving established norms, traditions, and institutions across generations. It ensures that social practices, values, and knowledge are consistently transmitted, providing a stable framework for social life. For example, in Nepal, the practice of annual festivals such as Dashain and Tihar not only reinforces religious and cultural traditions but also strengthens family bonds and community cohesion, creating continuity in social and cultural life. As noted by Britannica (2024), culture acts as a stabilizing force by safeguarding accumulated wisdom and social practices, which helps societies endure over time.
· Provides Emotional and Psychological Security
Culture provides emotional and psychological security by offering familiar structures, beliefs, and rituals that help individuals cope with uncertainty, stress, and life’s challenges. Shared cultural practices create a sense of stability, belonging, and reassurance, reducing anxiety and fostering resilience. For example, in Nepal, participating in communal rituals during Tihar or seeking blessings during puja ceremonies gives individuals a sense of comfort, continuity, and social support, especially during difficult times. According to BNS Institute of Behavioral Sciences (2023), culture acts as a stabilizing force, providing individuals with predictable patterns and meaningful frameworks that enhance emotional well-being.
· Serves as a Tool for Socialization
Culture serves as a critical tool for socialization, teaching individuals the norms, values, roles, and behaviours expected within their society. Through cultural practices, education, language, and rituals, people learn how to interact, communicate, and function effectively in social settings. For example, in Nepal, children participate in cultural activities such as Deusi-Bhailo during Tihar, where they learn cooperation, respect for elders, and community engagement—skills that are vital for social integration. As noted by Your Article Library, culture shapes individuals from a young age, embedding societal expectations and preparing them to participate meaningfully in their communities.