Final answer:
Culture comprises material and nonmaterial aspects, with material culture reflected in physical objects and nonmaterial culture in societal values and norms. Cultural universals are prevalent elements across all cultures. Theoretical perspectives analyze culture through functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four main concepts that illustrate the symbolic and material aspects of culture include material culture, nonmaterial culture, cultural universals, and the interplay of different theoretical perspectives such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Material culture consists of the physical objects or artefacts that represent a culture, while nonmaterial culture encompasses the values, beliefs, norms, language, and practices of a society.
Cultural universals are elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that are common to all human cultures worldwide. The theoretical perspectives offer varying interpretations of culture: Functionalists view culture as interconnected parts that function together; conflict theorists focus on cultural aspects that reflect and reinforce inequalities; and symbolic interactionists emphasize the meanings that arise from the interactions of individuals within a culture.