Material Culture and Non-material Culture

From The SpiritWiki

Culture and Non-Material Culture

Material culture refers to the physical features that define a particular culture, society, or group, such as homes, schools, businesses, churches, nightlife, etc. These structures develop a perceptual schema of describing the members and overall atmosphere of a society. For example, Penticton, BC is known as “Penticton & Wine Country” because of the vast vineyards.

On the other hand, non-material culture refers to the non-physical aspects (languages, symbols, norms, values) of a culture or society which serve to define the feelings, morals, or beliefs of the people in that group. Southern Alberta has a dominant Mormon population of approximately 10, 000 people. As a result, perceptions of people in those areas are conceived based on their religious background.


See Also

Culture

Counterculture

Dominant Culture

High Culture

Ideal Culture and Real Culture

Mass Culture

Folkways

Mores

Norms

Taboos

Values