Different societies may have a distinctive language, patterns of dress, social institutions, customs, traditions and systems of government. Each individual is aware of a common identity shared with other members of the society. The notion of society is intimately bound up with that of culture. No society could exist without culture, but equally no culture could exist without society. A society's culture embraces the whole way of life shared by group members and includes modes of dress, customs and traditions, language , patterns of work, family life, religious beliefs and ceremonies, and leisure pursuits.
Culture also includes norms and values .
Values are shared abstract ideas about what is desirable, proper, good and bad. Norms are definite principles and rules which group members are excepted to observe. For example, in Western societies a prominent value is being faithful to a single partner. In many other cultures a person may be permitted to have several wives or husbands simultaneously. It is the cultural variations between human groups which distinguishes different types of society.