Many social scientists distinguish between non-material and material culture.

Material Culture: material culture is made up of those objects that people make that distinguish them from others; their characteristic dwellings, for example, or their tools, utensils, machinery and clothes.

Non-material Culture: the truths, values, goals, and norms of the people.

Structure of Culture:

(i)Trait: Trait is the smallest unit of culture. Trait of material culture would include such things as pencil, table etc. Non-material culture would include such actions as shaking hands, driving on the right side of the road etc.

(ii)Complex: Two or more culture traits combine to make a complex Thus, a culture complex is cluster of related traits.

(iii)Sub-Culture: The broader cultural framework of cultural environment in the society further sub-divided in cultural parts and cultural segments having their own self sustaining cultural existence. In all societies, one is dominant culture and others are sub-cultures.

(iv)Counter-Cultures: Sub-cultures which are in active opposition to dominant culture are called counter cultures.

(v)Cultural Integration: A cultural integration takes place when each traits fits into the rest of the culture. The different parts of a culture must fit together if conflict and confusion are to be avoided.

(vi)Cultural Relativism: Cultural relativism means that the function and meaning of a trait are relative to its cultural definition.

(vii)Ethos: Cultural ethos are central point and cornerstone of a culture. Ethos is the pivot of the culture round which whole culture revolve. As for example, islamic way of life is ethos of our culture.

Characteristics of a Culture:

1:Culture is social
2:Culture is learned
3:Culture is shared
4:Culture is systematic
5:Culture is transmitted
6:Culture is dynamic
7:Culture is a guide to society
8:Every society has its own different culture
9:Culture is accumulative

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Main ne Allah Ko apney iraadon ke totney se pehchana hay...!!
Hazrat Ali (R.A)