Material culture : tangible items :: Non-material culture : ?

Material culture refers to the physical objects that people create and use, like tools, buildings, and clothing. In contrast, non-material culture includes the ideas, beliefs, values, and norms that shape a society but cannot be touched. For example, the concept of freedom is part of non-material culture; it influences how people think and behave but is not a physical item. Just as tangible items represent a culture's way of life, non-material culture represents the thoughts and feelings that guide people's actions. Together, both aspects are essential for understanding a culture as a whole.