Introductory Sociology: Culture - Material vs. Nonmaterial Culture Artifacts Values Norms Beliefs Symbols Language

Material vs Non-Material Culture

Material culture refers to the physical objects and artifacts created by a society, while non-material culture consists of the intangible aspects such as values, norms, beliefs, symbols, and language. For example, a smartphone is a material artifact, whereas the value placed on it, such as its importance in communication, is a non-material aspect. Sociologists care about this distinction because it helps them understand how societies shape and are shaped by their physical and intangible environments.

Must-Know Facts

• Material culture is the physical aspect of culture, including artifacts, tools, and technology.
  • Example: A smartphone is a material artifact.
• Non-material culture consists of intangible aspects such as values, norms, beliefs, symbols, and language.
  • Example: The value placed on a smartphone is a non-material aspect.
• Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices and values should be understood within their own context, rather than being judged against another culture's standards.
  • Theorist: Edward Tylor, who argued that culture is a complex whole that includes both material and non-material aspects.
• Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication.
  • Theorist: George Herbert Mead, who argued that people learn language and social norms through interaction with others.
• Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts spread from one society to another.
  • Example: The spread of Western-style clothing and hairstyles to other parts of the world.
• Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a particular cultural group and the values, norms, and practices that define that group.
  • Example: A person's sense of identity as a member of a particular ethnic or national group.
• Language is a key aspect of non-material culture, as it shapes how people think, communicate, and interact with each other.
  • Example: The use of language to create social boundaries and exclude others.
• Values are the principles and standards that guide human behavior and decision-making.
  • Example: The value placed on honesty and fairness in a particular society.
• Norms are the unwritten rules that govern human behavior in a particular society.
  • Example: The norm of shaking hands as a greeting in many Western cultures.
• Beliefs are the ideas and attitudes that people hold about the world and their place in it.
  • Example: The belief in a particular deity or spiritual practice.
• Artifacts are the physical objects created by a society, such as tools, technology, and architecture.
  • Example: The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
• Cultural lag is the idea that material culture can change more quickly than non-material culture, leading to a lag between the two.
  • Example: The rapid adoption of new technology, such as smartphones, while social norms and values may take longer to change.
• Cultural evolution is the idea that cultures change and develop over time through a process of adaptation and selection.
  • Theorist: Lloyd Warner, who argued that cultures evolve through a process of cultural diffusion and cultural lag.
• Cultural diversity is the existence of multiple cultures within a society or region.
  • Example: The diversity of cultures in a city like New York or London.
• Cultural homogenization is the process by which different cultures become more similar and lose their unique characteristics.
  • Example: The spread of Western-style fast food and consumer culture to other parts of the world.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Material culture is the only aspect of culture that matters.
  • Correction: Non-material culture, such as values, norms, and beliefs, is also a crucial aspect of culture.
• Misunderstanding: Cultural relativism means that all cultural practices are equally good or bad.
  • Correction: Cultural relativism means that cultural practices should be understood within their own context, rather than being judged against another culture's standards.
• Misunderstanding: Symbolic interactionism is only concerned with language and communication.
  • Correction: Symbolic interactionism is a broader theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication.

Practice Questions

1. What is the difference between material and non-material culture? A) Material culture is physical, while non-material culture is intangible. B) Material culture is intangible, while non-material culture is physical. C) Material culture is only found in Western societies. D) Non-material culture is only found in non-Western societies.

Answer: A) Material culture is physical, while non-material culture is intangible. Why correct: This is the correct definition of material and non-material culture.

1. What is cultural relativism? A) The idea that cultural practices should be judged against another culture's standards. B) The idea that cultural practices should be understood within their own context. C) The idea that all cultural practices are equally good or bad. D) The idea that cultural practices are determined by biology.

Answer: B) The idea that cultural practices should be understood within their own context. Why correct: Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices should be understood within their own context, rather than being judged against another culture's standards.

1. What is symbolic interactionism? A) A theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication. B) A theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through physical objects and artifacts. C) A theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through values and norms. D) A theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through language and communication.

Answer: A) A theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication. Why correct: Symbolic interactionism is a theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication.

1. What is cultural diffusion? A) The process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts spread from one society to another. B) The process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts are lost from one society to another. C) The process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts are created within a society. D) The process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts are judged against another culture's standards.

Answer: A) The process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts spread from one society to another. Why correct: Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts spread from one society to another.

1. What is cultural identity? A) The sense of belonging to a particular cultural group and the values, norms, and practices that define that group. B) The sense of belonging to a particular ethnic or national group. C) The sense of belonging to a particular social class. D) The sense of belonging to a particular age group.

Answer: A) The sense of belonging to a particular cultural group and the values, norms, and practices that define that group. Why correct: Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a particular cultural group and the values, norms, and practices that define that group.

Quick Revision

• Edward Tylor: argued that culture is a complex whole that includes both material and non-material aspects.
• George Herbert Mead: argued that people learn language and social norms through interaction with others.
• Lloyd Warner: argued that cultures evolve through a process of cultural diffusion and cultural lag.
• Cultural relativism: the idea that cultural practices should be understood within their own context.
• Symbolic interactionism: a theory that focuses on how people interact with each other through symbols, language, and non-verbal communication.
• Cultural diffusion: the process by which cultural practices, values, and artifacts spread from one society to another.
• Cultural identity: the sense of belonging to a particular cultural group and the values, norms, and practices that define that group.
• Material culture: the physical aspect of culture, including artifacts, tools, and technology.
• Non-material culture: the intangible aspects of culture, such as values, norms, beliefs, symbols, and language.
• Cultural lag: the idea that material culture can change more quickly than non-material culture, leading to a lag between the two.
• Cultural evolution: the idea that cultures change and develop over time through a process of adaptation and selection.
• Cultural diversity: the existence of multiple cultures within a society or region.
• Cultural homogenization: the process by which different cultures become more similar and lose their unique characteristics.
  Cultural imperialism: the process by which one culture imposes its values and practices on another culture.