The consequence of the growth in the power and scope of these organizations is key in understanding our world. The last component of sociocultural systems is the cultural superstructure. The term culture in sociology and anthropology is used to refer to the values, norms, traditions and material goods characteristic of a given group. In this symbolic world the individual is no longer merely a biological entity but is also a social entity. While it exists within the minds of individuals, it is the product of consensus, changing in the process of social interaction.
Human individuals exist within both a physical and symbolic world.
Physical needs can be satisfied by a person's contribution to the production and reproduction necessary for the community. The behavioral superstructure consists of such activities as art, dance, literature, rituals, sports, and games. The mental superstructure refers to the conscious and unconscious goals, values, rules, philosophies, and beliefs that guide human behavior in the satisfaction of their biopsychological needs. In this category Harris lists such diverse components as magic, religion, taboos, subsistence lore, ideologies, myths, aethetic standards and philosophies. Although Harris explicitly states that these elements are in interaction with structural and infrastructural parts of the social system, the thrust of his anthropology is on explaining these cultural elements in terms of ecological-infrastructural relationships.