Material Culture and Non-material Culture
An Avatar.Global Resource
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.