Final answer:
Culture refers to the shared patterns of learned behavior and ideas that people acquire as members of society. Through socialization, individuals are taught to be proficient members of society and conform to societal norms and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject being described in the question is culture. Culture refers to the shared patterns of learned behavior and ideas that people acquire as members of society. It encompasses knowledge, beliefs, values, norms, language, symbols, arts, and collective identities and memories. Through socialization, individuals are taught to be proficient members of society and conform to societal norms and expectations. Sociologists study cultural patterns and examine the circumstances in which certain behaviors are expected or not.