In the following figure by Suciati and Azizah Maulina Erzad in the International Journal of Islamic Studies, the authors create a digestible way for people to understand the different levels in which individuals connect with their culture. Moving from the inside of the circle to the edge is the most surface-level to in depth connection to culture, each of which is strengthened by cultural practices.
Values: People’s connection to their culture is most embedded in their values as it is the easiest to exemplify on a daily basis. They are more unconsciously enacted and not entirely observable, but can be seen in how people act. Small differences in how people conduct themselves, such as holding the door open or looking at someone when they speak, can be traced back to an individual’s values imposed on them by their culture.
Rituals, Heroes, Symbols: These three are the observable depths of culture, each of which is increasingly more difficult for individuals to reach in connection with their traditions. Cultural factors such as holidays, prayers, valuing important figures, and appreciating cultural symbols are more difficult to connect with as it requires active efforts of the individual to truly cherish those elements.
Each individual has a different level of connection with their culture. While it is often safe to assume that people of the same culture share the same values, people will likely differ in how closely they identify with their culture and the intensity of their practices to appreciate it.