Culture

What is Culture?

Culture refers to the values, norms, common practices, and material goods characteristic of a given group. It acts as a lens through which people learn to view the world. Culture is dynamic, evolving over time while preserving traditions across generations. Sociologists often divide culture into two main categories: material culture and nonmaterial culture.

• Material Culture: The physical objects created by a society, such as clothing, technology, and art. These are tangible and observable.

• Nonmaterial Culture: The intangible aspects of culture, including values, beliefs, norms, and language. These shape how people think and interact.

Many nations are described as multi-cultural, meaning they contain diverse cultural groups.

Examples of Material and Nonmaterial Culture

Material culture examples include:

• Clothing

• Technology (e.g., smartphones)

• Artworks

Nonmaterial culture examples include:

• Beliefs about family roles

• Language

• Norms regarding behavior

Application: Identifying Material vs. Nonmaterial Culture

• Applying lipstick: Material

• Greeting a friend with a handshake: Nonmaterial

• Wearing jeans: Material

• Believing a person should honor their parents: Nonmaterial

Key Concepts

• Norms: Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

• Values: Deeply held beliefs about what is good, right, and desirable.

• Symbols: Anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a culture.

Quiz Example

Which of the following are true about culture?

• Culture acts as a lens through which people understand the world.

• Both material and nonmaterial culture exist.

• Culture includes the habits, norms, values, and material goods of a group.

Example: The use of smartphones (material culture) and the etiquette of texting (nonmaterial culture) both shape how people communicate in modern society.

Additional info: Sociologists study culture to understand how shared practices and beliefs influence social behavior and group identity.