Material culture involves the physical objects, artifacts, and built environments created and utilized by human societies. Changing material culture refers to the sub-category of material culture that addresses the study of changes in material artifacts over time, driven by technological shifts, social practices, and cultural values. It refers to the changing physical objects, technologies, and artifacts in society and how they affect the way of life and social structure. Changes in material cultures come with societal progression, which is influenced by technological developments and changes in economic factors, therefore reflecting and influencing cultural values and practice. Such changes may thus be considered to view the way material things shape social relations and are shaped by the social change in return. This can be essential in appreciating the dynamics between technology, culture, and identity.

Changing Material Culture is a vital topic to be studied for the sociology related exam such as the UGC NET Sociology Examination.

In this article the readers will be able to know about the following:

• Changing Material Culture Meaning
• Changing Material Culture Examples
• Dynamics of Material Culture Change

Changing Material Culture Meaning

Changing material culture refers to the alteration of physical objects, tools, technologies, and artifacts over time in a society. The concept looks at how changed economic fortunes, technological advances, and cultural values are used in production, use, and meaning of material objects within societies. As societies evolve, new materials and technologies come to replace older ones, thus bringing about changes in everyday practices, social relations, and cultural norms. These transformations allow us to look at how material culture shows and influences the broad changes in social and cultural conditions. The dynamic interaction presented exemplifies how material objects come to shape and be shaped by human experience.

Fig: Changing Material Culture

Changing Material Culture Examples

Material culture changes, and this change reflects the very evolution of physical objects and technologies as a result of social, economic, and technological developments. These changes are indicative of the fact that material objects adapt to, but simultaneously act as drivers of, societal changes.

Example 1: From Landline Phones to Smartphones

One such prominent example of a large-scale change in material culture is the replacement of landline phones with smartphones. What used to be a landline phone, a rather basic medium with only one specific purpose, has now evolved into a device called a smartphone, embodying dozens of functions and abilities, such as text messaging, access to the internet, and even multimedia. While this development will certainly be a change in social practice, it would render communication immediate and versatile.

Example 2: Change in Transport from Horse-Driven Carriages to Electric Vehicles

The development from horse-drawn carriages to electric vehicles is a huge change to how the world travels and the material culture involved with it. Horse-drawn carriages were succeeded by the automobile, and more recently, 'traditional' combustion-engine vehicles are giving way to electric vehicles. Therein lies a sea change of immense proportions—a change that speaks to continuous technological development for higher efficiency and lower environmental impact, revolutionizing the way humans move about and interact with their surroundings.

Dynamics of Material Culture Change

Dynamics of material cultural change entail processes and agents of change that in particular drive physical objects, technologies, and artifacts to evolve in a society. The dynamics explain how material culture adjusts to new technologies, changing social values, and economic conditions in a way that shapes and reflects the broader cultural changes.

Technological Advancements

This great force of variation of material culture is technological change. Newer technologies usually bring new tools and devices along with them that somehow replace existing ones, hence changing usual practices and interactions. For example, digital technology has quite radically changed the face of communication today, moving from landline phones and paper-based media to smartphones and digital platforms. Not only do these advances increase functionality, but they also change how humans interact with their environment and with one another.

Economic Conditions

Economic conditions do affect material culture in that they alter what resources are available and which goods and technologies are affordable. Growth may make it easier to access new materials and goods, and poor economic conditions may see a move towards more affordable or rugged items. Changes in economic conditions also affect the way things are produced and what buyers want, but, generally, they set the form of the market for material goods, therefore shifting material culture.

Social and Cultural Values

Material culture change is highly influenced by social and cultural values. In the event that society's values change, so do objects and technologies that reflect these values. For instance, growing environmental awareness brought about the use of sustainable materials and practices within industries like fashion and construction. This shift illustrates raised sensitivity toward sustainability and ethical consumption, which eventually affects the design and use of material objects.

Globalization

Globalization is increasing this change in material culture through the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies across borders. Global products and practices are thus introduced to locals, who then adopt new technologies and styles. For example, international fast-food chains and fashion brands are too popular among people, which just goes on to prove how global influences reshape local material cultures and consumption patterns.

Social Movements and Trends

One of the major drivers of change in material culture is through social movements and trends. They do this by contesting the normative order, proposing new ways of thinking and living. Movements such as minimalism have made a case for simplicity and decluttering; therefore, changing the way people design and consume material goods. In the same way, trends such as the maker movement, which insists on DIY culture and customization, shift how people relate to and create material objects. As such, movements reflect cultural attitudes in change and drive innovation in material culture.

Conclusion

Research into changing material culture underscores the complex relationship between technological change, social change, and cultural values in society. When material objects change, they come to influence and are influenced by changing social practice, economic conditions, and cultural norms. Analyses of these changes provide insight into the ways in which material culture impacts everyday life and the social structure. This perspective will also show how societies adapt to new technologies and how these adaptations symbolize broader cultural and social transformations.

Changing Material Culture is a vital topic per several competitive exams. It would help if you learned other similar topics with the Testbook App.