Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which characteristic indicates that culture is largely tacit?

1. Culture is mostly unexpressed.

2. Cultures do not remain static.

3. Culture is a functional and integrated whole.

4. Patterns of cultural behavior are acquired.

The correct answer is: Culture is mostly unexpressed.

The statement that culture is mostly unexpressed highlights the tacit nature of cultural understanding. Tacit culture refers to the elements of culture that are not readily articulated or codified. This means that many aspects of culture, including norms, values, and beliefs, are often learned implicitly through socialization rather than through direct communication. For example, social customs, gestures, and rituals may be understood and practiced without explicit instruction. Many individuals navigate these cultural nuances instinctively, demonstrating that a significant portion of culture operates below the surface of conscious awareness. While other choices mention relevant aspects of culture, they do not specifically emphasize the unexpressed dimensions that characterize tacit culture. Understanding culture as largely tacit is critical in community health nursing, as it helps professionals appreciate the deeper, often unspoken influences that affect health behaviors and practices within diverse communities.