Final answer:
The iPad is best regarded as a cultural object by sociologists, with its role in communication and entertainment as well as representation of cultural capital within a society. The correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sociologist would call the iPad a cultural object. The iPad, as a form of material culture, is part of the tools and technologies that societies use and have a significant impact on the ways individuals communicate, learn, and entertain themselves. It is more than just technology; it is infused with cultural significance, shaped by and shaping the societal norms and interactions.
Moreover, it also represents the cultural capital mentioned by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, in which the iPad can be seen as an objectified form of such capital - a possession that reflects certain knowledge and attitudes prevalent within a culture. The sociologist would call the iPad a cultural object.
Culture encompasses all the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that are characteristic of a particular social group or society. The iPad, as a technological device, represents not only the advancements in technology but also the cultural significance it holds in society. It has become embedded in our everyday lives, influencing the way we communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves.