Chapter 3 Discussion
"According to your authors, “culture consists of thoughts (expectations about personal space, for example) and tangible things (bus stops, trains, and seating capacity).
Material culture
refers to the objects or belongings of a group of people. Metro passes and bus tokens are part of material culture, as are automobiles, stores, and the physical structures where people worship.
Nonmaterial culture
, in contrast, consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society. Material and nonmaterial aspects of culture are linked, and physical objects often symbolize cultural ideas. A metro pass is a material object, but it represents a form of nonmaterial culture, namely, capitalism, and the acceptance of paying for transportation. Clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry are part of material culture, but the appropriateness of wearing certain clothing for specific events reflects nonmaterial culture."
Answer the following questions.
- If a visitor from another culture asked you for an introduction to North American culture and only had three days to spend with you, what would you show that person? Why?Assume you have lots of money and expense and transportation is not a restraint.In other words, you can go anywhere you want. You only have three days, so be logical; you can’t see the whole country!
- What would you want an intelligent outsider to understand about how we live?
- What would you be embarrassed or ashamed to show?
- Can you think of subgroups or subcultures in our area that would portray our culture in other ways?