What is the difference between material culture and non-material culture?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The main difference between material culture and non-material culture is that material culture consists of physical objects and artifacts created by a society, while non-material culture includes the intangible aspects such as beliefs, values, norms, language, and customs.
Explanation:
Culture is a broad term that includes everything humans create and share as members of a society. It can be divided into two main components: material culture and non-material culture.
Material culture refers to the tangible, physical items that people create and use in their daily lives. These include objects such as buildings, clothing, tools, artwork, technology, and food. For example, smartphones, cars, houses, and traditional clothing are all part of a society’s material culture. These objects reflect the values and technological development of a culture and can often be touched, seen, or used.
On the other hand, non-material culture involves the intangible aspects of a culture. This includes beliefs, values, morals, language, customs, laws, religion, and traditions. For example, the belief in individual freedom, the celebration of a national holiday, or the use of a specific language are part of non-material culture. These elements influence behavior and shape how people interact with one another but cannot be physically touched.
While material culture can be easily observed and recorded, non-material culture is harder to measure but is often more deeply ingrained. One cannot understand a society fully by only studying its objects. The meanings and functions behind those objects are rooted in non-material culture.
To understand a society completely, both material and non-material culture must be considered. For instance, a wedding dress (material culture) holds significance only when viewed through the lens of cultural practices and values associated with marriage (non-material culture). Together, they form a complete picture of how people live, think, and express themselves.
