Material and Non-material Cultures - Essay Example

Material and Non-Material Cultures Sociologists define culture as the beliefs, values, behavior and material objects that are communally held by a certain cluster of people. In essence, culture incorporates both the past and the present and it includes both accomplishment and aspiration. In essence, culture is incorporates a total social heritage. Put in another way, culture is basically everything in the world or everything that people in a certain group share. In order to construct a sociological imagination, it is critical to comprehend how culture affects individual’s lives (Arjun 96). Culture is what defines the importance that we attach to our lives and it is the same thing that denotes standards of beauty, success, and goodness as well as the respect for celestial power, the cosmic powers or the importance that we accord to long-dead ancestors. Although people often speak about human nature, it is worthy noting that no single culture in the world is natural to human beings. However, various people choose to view their way of life as inherent to their human nature (Gerber & Macionis 24). Sociologists have for a long time been trying to differentiate between nonmaterial culture, which is the intangible developments of human society such as languages and religion and material culture, which is the physical products of the human community. The immaterial and material culture is then combined to create the mirror through which human beings are able to comprehend and analyze what is happening around them. The thing that sets human beings apart from other species is their ability to create culture, which they learn as members of a larger society. Culture is more ingrained among people and they therefore rely more heavily on it as compared to instincts for their survival. This is what sets them apart from other species that rely more on their instincts for their survival (Gerber & Macionis 24). Material Culture Each culture brings together varied human developments that are termed by sociologists as artifacts while the material and the non-material elements of culture are intertwined. The objects that are designed and utilized by a certain community basically mirror their cultural ideals. The material culture depicts not only the values that a society has but it is also inclusive of technology. Technology in this aspect is used in the application of cultural knowledge to the duty of residing in a physical environment. Since high value is placed on science and the refined technology it has brought along, American’s are more apt to branding cultures that have less complicated technology as backward (Kuchler & Miller 110). Sociologists point out that the material culture of any community is critical since it offers pointers on the manner in which people relate to each other and on what is crucial to their existence. In order to get the full importance of material culture, sociologists try hard to comprehend the context in which material culture is developed as well as the purposed for which it is utilized, the motivations to which it is changed or discarded, and the meanings that is placed on each one of them. Examples of material culture are things such as iPads, cars, tattoos, jewelries, among other material things (Berger 63). Non-Material Culture There is no doubt that both material and non-material culture are intertwined and one cannot be discussed without the other. Wherever material culture is studied, sociologists are also interested in finding out the effect that it has on human relationships. A good example of this is the microwave whose invention in America changed the timings of when families could eat their meals as well as helped in changing the conventional beliefs about the ability of children to cook. Simply put, the introduction of the microwave had a great effect on the nonmaterial culture, which is the intangible aspects of living such as beliefs, values, norms, and symbols (Certeau 16). Beliefs: Beliefs are ideas that people adopt as true regarding how the world functions and the place of an individual in the manner of how they relate. Beliefs are usually grounded on faith, experience, tradition, or in science. Regardless of their precision or origins, brings are powerful since people often use them to just the behavior that is inherent among them and it has a great effect on behavior (Certeau 17). Values: Another component of non-material culture is values, which are the general, shared notions of what is morally acceptable or significant. There is usually a range of values that are inherent in all communities and cultures are differentiated from each other not according to the values that are existent in one and lacking in another but rather by the values that are most adored and prevalent (Certeau 17). Norms: norms are both the written and unwritten rules that define behaviors that are ideal and those that are not ideal to a certain social situation. Written norms can be found in nearly every institution and people are supposed to stick by them or suffer consequences. Since norms are widely accepted, majority of the times they are translated into laws that are supposed to govern human living. Depending on the significance of a norm, punishment can range from a simple rebuke to being put to death. Norms are categorized into folkways, which are the norms that address the commonplace exercises and mores, which are the norms that define as essential to the interests of a group. People who contravene mores are usually handed severe punishment and they might even be banished from the community (Certeau 18). Symbols: Another type of nonmaterial culture are symbols which represents everything that people attach a name or meaning. In the broadest sense, language is a symbol system that accords meaning to certain sounds, or certain cluster of letters and gestures. The level and intricacy of human language differentiates human beings from animals. On top of this, language is the most significant symbol that human beings have created for communication. The moment we learn the words of a particular language, then we get tool through which we can develop and maintain relationships, pass along information, and understand experiences. Learning a certain language includes an expectation that we will commune and construct our thoughts in a certain way. An example of this is the Korean language which is structured in such a way as to address people that is based on special age hierarchical titles. In this country, age is a significant measure of status and the more people age, the more status they acquire (Certeau 19). Socialization Human beings come into this world without any defined culture. It is the duty of their guardians, instructors, and others to transform them into cultural and communally adept beings. In reality, the general process in which a human being acquires their culture is referred to as socialization. In the time of socialization process, one acquires the language of the culture that they exist in as well as the responsibilities that they are expected to play in life. An example of this is where young girls learn how to be daughters and wives as well the occupational duties that their community has reserved for them. It is through the socialization process that an individual learns to adapt to the norms of his culture (Perec 135). Successful socialization is critical since it brings about homogeny in the society. If all the children within a certain grouping receive the same socialization, there is a high likelihood that they will have shared beliefs and opportunities while socialization is also crucial in the behavior formation process. While a big chunk of human personality comes from their genes, the socialization process is able to mold it in a certain direction by promoting certain beliefs and thoughts as well as offering experiences in a selective manner. In most cases, this explains why a certain community might have a certain personality that is only inherent in that society and not to another. An example of this is the Semai people from Malay who are generally gentle and they detest any kind of gentle people from among their midst. The Yanomano people from India are the contrast of the Semai since they usually train their young boys to be violent and antagonistic. An average Yanomano man therefore does not shy away from blood shed and strong emotions. Actually, these men are expected to seek such situations out. Another example is the Shiite Muslims from Iran who are expected by at certain times to demonstrate their religious faith publicly by way of inflicting pain on their bodies (Perec 138). Works Cited Arjun, Appadurai. The Social Life of Things. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 96-100. Print. Berger, Arthur. What Objects Mean: An Introduction of Material Culture. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press, 2009. 63-66. Print. Certeau, Michel. The Practice of Everyday Life. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002. 16-21. Print.   Gerber, Linda & Macionis, John. Sociology. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Canada, 2011. 23-54. Print. Kuchler, Susanne & Miller, Daniel. Clothing as Material Culture. Berg, 2005. 110. Print. Perec, George. A Species of Space and Other Pieces. London: Penguin, 2007. 135-140. Print. Read More