Come up with a thesis statement to this Essay? Material culture refers to the ph
ID: 3501568 • Letter: C
Question
Come up with a thesis statement to this Essay?
Material culture refers to the physical objects and spaces which has a symbolic meaning that people use within our society. These artifacts are created by individuals to use, consume, create, and trade. Material culture, also, includes the behaviors, patterns and rituals that the objects produce. This helps to define people’s perceptions and behaviors.
In contrast, non-material culture are intangible thoughts and ways of thinking that make up a culture. Some of these includes language, values, rules, norms, and gestures. Non-material culture is even woven into our political and economic structure.
When looking at the story from the assignment, there are several material and non-material culture examples. Right from the start, Sarah’s brand-new convertible Mercedes is a material object. While driving her car, she was using her cell phone, another example of a material artifact. Being, that Sarah was driving a high-end vehicle, the officer may have had an impression about the person behind the wheel. The officer that pulled her over was female and had a thick southern accent which are examples of non-material culture. Sarah could have easily felt she would be treated a certain way. When the officer asked for her information, Sarah realized with the t-shirt she was wearing, a material object, and the words printed on it, non-material culture, could make the officer assume she was a college student that had been out drinking. With this, Sarah felt the need to clarify she was simply getting a coffee. In the end, Sarah noticed the officers badge motto, “Protect and Serve”, on it. The saying is a non-material culture example, which made Sarah realize the officer was simply doing her job.
This simple story makes one realize that, even the most common things we do, wear, or say, can dictate how we think, act, and behave. Whether our reactions are on a conscious or unconscious level, it shows how we are affected by our world around us.
Explanation / Answer
The importance of symbolic interaction in determining culturl values.
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People's thoughts, behaviors and interaction depends on the culture they belong to.
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The significance of cultural symbols and artifacts in shaping the lifestyle of people who belong to it.