Culture refers to the shared traditions, values, and ways of life that unite a group of people. It includes tangible aspects like language, religion, and material goods as well as intangible aspects like beliefs and norms. A key component of culture is that it is learned and passed down between generations. While aspects of culture like language and technology can spread globally, cultures still vary widely between different societies and subgroups. Cultural elements also tend to change at different rates, sometimes causing disruptions, but cultures aim to maintain integration among their various aspects over time through processes like cultural diffusion and adaptation.