Which statement best captures the relationship between culture and society?

• A. They are the same concept.
• B. Culture is defined by norms and values; Society occupies a geographic territory.
• C. A society is a self-perpetuating independent group occupying a definite territory.
• D. Culture is primarily defined by political boundaries.

Answer: (C)

Culture encompasses the shared beliefs, norms, values, language, symbols, and material things a group uses to make meaning together. A society is the organized, self-sustaining group of people who share that culture and inhabit a defined geographic area, with ongoing social institutions and interactions. The best statement captures this by saying a society is a self-perpetuating independent group occupying a definite territory. It shows how culture underpins social life within a bounded, continuing community. The other options fall short by treating culture and society as the same thing, or by narrowing culture to norms and values alone, or by tying culture mainly to political boundaries.