Social and Cultural Factors

Definition

Social and cultural factors refer to aspects of society and culture that influence behaviors, attitudes, preferences and decisions within a population or community.

Analogy

Consider social and cultural factors as the 'seasoning' in a dish; they give flavor to our behaviors just as spices do to food.

Related terms

Social Norms: These are unwritten rules about how to behave in particular social groups or cultures. They're like invisible guideposts directing us on what actions are acceptable or not.

Cultural Identity: This refers to individuals identifying with certain cultures or groups based on shared characteristics such as language or traditions. It's akin to being part of a sports team because you share common goals and values.

Demographics: These are statistical data relating to populations such as age, gender, income etc. Think of demographics as the ingredients list on a food package - they tell you what's inside.