Cultural materialism is an approach that divides a culture into 3 layers: infrastructure, structure, and superstructure. Infrastructure is how people attend to their basic needs of survival and reproduction. Structure is how these strategies are managed at the level of the household and society (i.e. institutions and laws). Superstructure is the ideology that keeps the wheels of the other two levels going (i.e. the beliefs, values, art, etc.). For cultural materialists, the level of infrastructure is the most important determining factor in the form a society will take. A classic example is the protection of sacred cows in India. Although many of us might see these cows as a valuable food source, for the adaptive strategy of agriculture, cows are more useful for their labor in the fields. When the infrastructure changes (people adopted agriculture), the superstructure also changed (a new belief in the sacredness of cows) to facilitate practices that support the community's economic viability.
Some examples of cultural diffusion in Southern California include the fusion of Mexican and American cuisine in the form of California burritos, the popularity of Asian-inspired street food like sushi burritos, and the incorporation of yoga and meditation practices from Eastern cultures into mainstream wellness routines. Additionally, the influence of Hollywood has spread American pop culture worldwide, further contributing to cultural diffusion in the region.
Cultural neocolonialism can be seen in the dominance of Western media and cultural products in many countries, leading to the marginalization of local cultures. Economical neocolonialism is evident in the exploitation of cheaper labor and resources in developing countries by multinational corporations from developed countries, leading to economic dependency and unequal power dynamics.
Examples of inculturation include adapting religious practices to align with local customs and traditions, translating sacred texts into native languages, incorporating indigenous music and art into worship ceremonies, and embracing cultural symbols in religious rituals.
Examples of cultural symbols include the American flag, the Japanese cherry blossom, the Hindu Om symbol, the Celtic knot, and the Chinese dragon. These symbols carry significant meaning and are often used to represent the values, beliefs, and identities of a particular culture.
A cultural artifact is any object, symbol, or practice that is created or used by a particular society, group, or individual and holds cultural significance. These artifacts can provide insights into the beliefs, values, traditions, and practices of the people who created or used them. Examples include art, clothing, music, tools, and language.
materialism
tangible things created by people,e.g dressing
ALAN SINFIELD has written: 'SHAKESPEARE, AUTHORITY, SEXUALITY: UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN CULTURAL MATERIALISM'
Culture is ordinary and cultural materialism. He also influence Edward Said.
A couple of examples of cultural differences are tradition and how people eat their food.
Examples of how socio-cultural factors effect a business environment
Dialectical materialism: A philosophical approach that views reality as material and evolving through contradictions. Historical materialism: An ideology that suggests societal structures and relationships are shaped by economic factors. Cultural materialism: An anthropological perspective that examines how material conditions influence culture and society.
a cultural landscape is a combination of cultural features such as language and religion or agriculture and industry or climate and vegetation. As for the examples i sadly have none.
Cultural Artifacts
Of or pertaining to materialism or materialists; of the nature of materialism.
It's not a law. Materialism and atheism don't necessarily have anything to do with each other; theistic materialism exists, and the materialism part is still the same (it's incidental that there is or isn't a god involved). See "What is Materialism?" to better understand that part.
The book Materialism was written by Jorie Graham.