Material Culture
objects
contemporary material culture
sociological theory
discern law by which people organize lives to help create more humane & rational social order
marxist theory
people buy things due to alienation
artifacts
physical entity formed by human beings
alienation
separation or estrangement from man's true nature && sense of self
masks
serve as powerful symbols of identity and power
sociological theory
the relationship that exists between individuals and society is very complicated
material culture
things that people make, purchase, receive, or possess
sociological theory
-offers insights into role objects & artifacts play in our lives -raises questions about how objects function for people -raises questions about what motivates people to purchase objects -considers demographics
culture
a collective name for all behavior patterns socially acquired and transmitted by means of symbols
theory
a way of seeing an optic that focuses on specific subject matter modes of explanation & interpretation
semiotic theory
ability to interpret objects & artifacts explain how objects tie-in to cultural "codes" explains how objects tie-in to socialization
Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory
allows us to analyze material culture in terms of the way artifacts -reflect various unconscious needs & desires -relates to our psychological makeup
archaeological theory
archaeologists study past people & cultures through analysis of material remains -artifacts -evidence of past environments -material evidence
