Define material and nonmaterial culture and provide examples of ...

[lbcchick]

Define material and nonmaterial culture and provide examples of each.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Define normative, coercive, and utilitarian organizations, and give an example of each.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[pocatato]

Answer to Question 1

Material culture consists of the physical or tangible creations that

members of a society make, use, and share. Initially, items of material

culture begin as raw materials or resources such as ore, trees, and oil.

Through technology, these raw materials are transformed into usable items (ranging from

books and computers to guns and tanks). Sociologists define technology as the knowledge,

techniques, and tools that make it possible for people to transform resources into usable

forms, and the knowledge and skills required to use them after they are developed.

At the most basic level, material culture is important because it is our buffer against the

environment. Nonmaterial culture consists of the abstract or intangible human creations of

society that influence people's behavior. Language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, family

patterns, and political systems are examples of nonmaterial culture. A central component of

nonmaterial culture is beliefsthe mental acceptance or conviction that certain things are

true or real. Beliefs may be based on tradition, faith, experience, scientific research, or some

combination of these.

Answer to Question 2

Etzioni classified formal organizations into three categories: normative, coercive, and

utilitarianbased on the nature of membership in each. We voluntarily join normative

organizations when we want to pursue some common interest or gain personal

satisfaction or prestige from being a member. Political parties, ecological activist

groups, religious organizations, parentteacher associations, and college sororities and

fraternities are examples of normative organizations. Class, gender, and race are

important determinants of a person's participation in a normative organization. People

do not voluntarily become members of coercive organizationsassoci ations that people

are forced to join. Total institutions, such as boot camps, prisons, and some mental

hospitals, are examples of coercive organizations. The assumed goal of total institutions

is to resocialize people through incarceration. We voluntarily join utilitarian

organizations when they can provide us with a material reward we seek. To make a

living or earn a college degree, we must participate in organizations that can provide us

these opportunities. Although we have some choice regarding where we work or

attend school, utilitarian organizations are not always completely voluntary. For

example, most people must continue to work even if the conditions of their employment

are less than ideal.

[lbcchick]

Correct answers!

[pocatato]

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