Values and Beliefs

Elements of culture begin with a group's values and beliefs. Elements of culture examples include cultural values, which are the consistent, unwavering beliefs of a society over time. These beliefs shape how the culture views the world, creating an ideal for the citizens of the culture to live up to. Values are the culturally-defined standards for what is desirable.

Norms

Norms are aspects of culture that humans live by, standards set up to tell one right from wrong. Cultural norms are different from beliefs in that they are specific guidelines passed down from parents and elders, rather than views on the world that tend to be more philosophical. In addition, norms exist even on a small scale.