HSC Community and Family Studies (CAFS) Practice Exam

A group of people sharing a common culture or background is best characterized as a Cultural Group. This term encompasses individuals who identify with each other through shared values, beliefs, traditions, and practices that define their collective identity. Cultural groups can include various aspects such as language, religion, rituals, and social norms, which contribute to a sense of belonging among members.

The other choices—Social Group, Demographic Group, and Ethnic Group—have distinct meanings that do not fully capture the essence of a group defined specifically by common cultural characteristics. While a social group may refer to any collection of individuals who interact with one another, it does not inherently imply shared cultural traits. A demographic group typically relates to statistical characteristics of populations, such as age, gender, or income level, rather than cultural similarities. An ethnic group focuses more on shared heritage, which can include culture but is often used to emphasize racial or national connections. Hence, the definition that best encapsulates sharing a common culture or background is indeed a Cultural Group.