Materialism In Sociology

After the first two weeks of class, we learned from both of the assigned readings each night, combined with the discussions and note taking the following days in class, an introduction to what society really consists of. Also we learned the basics of a handful of social functions. The first few chapters focuses on things such as culture and a group of people’s values in their world; so as we read further into the subject of Sociology, we will begin to see more and more of just how exactly the sociological imagination is identified. Chapter one in our textbook explains in great detail what makes a society exists, and the ways in which it forms over time. By the time you have read only a page or two, you will already know that a society is …show more content…
One of the first statements that was mentioned in this chapter is the difference between materialistic and non materialistic culture. From my experience, these two factors make up almost everything within a society. For example, materialistic culture includes material items that are physically passed on from one era to the next such as, silverware, jewelry or clothing. Non Materialistic culture involves things such as, language, beliefs or values. From experience in my own life, I can completely understand the whole idea of culture shock. For example, when I went to Bermuda a couple years ago, it was unbelievable to see the way people lived during their everyday life. As an American, it was extremely shocking to see all the things that were considered norms to a different culture. Some of these norms consisted of the way people were dressed, the kinds of jobs people had to help raise a family, and even the style of homes and transportation. Leaving one culture and entering another is extremely shocking. Never did I think that two countries could be so different, yet we know so much about each other. I do think that it is a good thing to experience culture shock, despite whether or not we agree with the ways of life from someone else’s