Culture is the social glue that holds a society together, While it often feels like a single, unified concept, sociologists and anthropologists categorize culture into several distinct types to better understand how humans interact with their environment and one another.
1. Material vs. Non-Material
This is the most fundamental type in the study of sociology. It separates the things we can touch from the ideas we carry.
Material Culture
Material culture refers to physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture. These are tangible artifacts created by humans.
Examples like, Architecture (skyscrapers, temples), technology (smartphones, cars), clothing, and even food. It reflects a society’s level of technology and its adaptation to the physical environment.
Non-Material Culture
Non-material culture includes the intangible ideas that people have about their culture. It cannot be touched, but it directs how we behave.
Examples: Language, beliefs, values, social norms, laws, and symbols. It provides system for a society, telling individuals what is considered right, wrong, or normal.
2. High Culture vs. Popular Culture
These types are often defined by social class and how accessible the cultural products are.
High Culture
High culture refers to cultural patterns that distinguish a society’s elite group. It is often associated with formal education, and high financial cost.
- Examples: Attending the opera, appreciating classical literature, fine arts, and ballet.
Popular (Pop) Culture
Also known as mass culture, this refers to mainstream patterns that are widespread among a society’s population. It is heavily influenced by mass media and is designed to be accessible to everyone.
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Examples: Blockbuster movies, pop music, viral TikTok trends, and fast food.
3. Folk Culture
Folk culture consists of the traditions and customs practiced by small, homogeneous, rural groups living in relative isolation.
It is typically passed down orally from generation to generation and is highly resistant to change.
- Characteristics: It is organic and emerges from a specific landscape or history.
- Examples are traditional folk songs, regional quilting patterns, or the lifestyle of the Amish community.
4. Subculture and Counterculture
Sometimes, groups within a larger society develop their own distinct ways of living.
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Subculture: A world within the larger world of the dominant culture. Members share a specific set of interests or experiences that set them apart, but they still exist harmoniously within the larger society.
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Example: Goth culture, bodybuilding communities, or “gamer” culture.
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Counterculture: A type of subculture that rejects and opposes the larger society’s widely accepted cultural patterns. They often seek to change the dominant culture.
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Example: The hippie movement of the 1960s or radical political movements.
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5. Corporate Culture
In a modern context, culture also exists within organizations. Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and practices that characterize an institution. It dictates how employees interact, how decisions are made, and how the company presents itself to the world.
Types of Culture
| Type | Focus | Key Examples |
| Material | Physical artifacts | Tools, buildings, fashion |
| Non-Material | Ideas and beliefs | Language, laws, religion |
| High Culture | Elite/Exclusive | Opera, classical art |
| Popular Culture | Mass appeal | Movies, social media |
| Folk Culture | Local tradition | Traditional dance, folklore |
| Subculture | Niche groups | Biker culture, Cosplayers |