Final answer:
Culture is divided into material culture, the physical objects we create, and nonmaterial culture, the intangible aspects like values and norms. Examples include artifacts in museums for material culture and the English language for nonmaterial culture. Popular culture impacts our daily lives, while subcultures and countercultures offer alternative ways of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Culture can be broken down into two main categories: material culture and nonmaterial culture. Material culture includes the physical objects or artifacts that we make and use, such as buildings, tools, and technology. Examples of material culture are smartphones, clothing, and architecture. On the other hand, nonmaterial culture consists of the intangible aspects that shape our society, including values, beliefs, norms, language, and practices. An example of nonmaterial culture is the English language, religious beliefs, or the practice of democracy
For instance, museums such as the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian contain artifacts of material culture, while the exhibits themselves and the understanding and norms around museum conduct represent nonmaterial culture. Popular culture is a subset of culture that includes mainstream, mass-produced entertainment and goods, like reality TV shows or social media trends, and these often inform and reflect larger cultural values and behaviors.
Subcultures are groups that share distinct identities within a larger culture and often have their own norms and values. In contrast, countercultures actively reject and oppose mainstream cultural norms. Innovations, inventions, and discoveries can significantly impact culture, introducing new ideas and ways of living that contribute to cultural change.