Which cultural element involves individuals' thoughts about various subjects?

The correct choice is indeed beliefs, as this cultural element specifically pertains to the ideas and convictions individuals hold regarding different subjects. Beliefs shape how individuals perceive the world around them, influencing their understanding of concepts, relationships, and experiences. They can be based on personal experiences, cultural background, education, and religious or spiritual interpretations.

For example, a person's belief about the importance of education might drive their decisions about their own schooling or their children’s schooling. Similarly, societal beliefs can affect everything from health practices to views on governance and social justice.

In contrast to beliefs, symbols represent ideas or concepts through objects, images, or gestures, serving as a means of communication within a culture. Norms are the unwritten rules or guidelines for behavior that dictate appropriate actions in various situations. Values refer to the deeply held principles that guide individual or collective behaviors, often reflecting what is deemed important by a group or society as a whole. While all these elements interconnect and influence individuals' thoughts and actions, beliefs specifically focus on the cognitive aspect of how people understand and interpret different ideas or phenomena.