Nonmaterial culture

Definition

Nonmaterial culture encompasses the intangible elements of a society, such as its beliefs, practices, norms, and values that influence people's behavior. It contrasts with material culture, which includes physical objects and artifacts created by a society.

Related terms

Norms:

The unwritten rules that govern behaviors within a society or group.

Values:

The deeply held beliefs about what is good, right, and important for a society.

Beliefs:

The convictions or acceptance that certain things are true or real, often without empirical evidence