Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What are the tangible aspects of a culture known as in the context of material culture?

1. Beliefs and traditions

2. Artistic expressions

3. Artifacts

4. Social norms

The correct answer is: Artifacts

In the context of material culture, tangible aspects of a culture are referred to as artifacts. Artifacts are the physical objects, tools, and items created or used by a society, reflecting the values, beliefs, and practices of that culture. These can include anything from clothing, architecture, and utensils to art and technology. Artifacts serve as important evidence of how people interact with their environment and each other, providing insights into cultural identity and social organization. While beliefs and traditions represent the intangible elements of culture, artifacts offer a concrete representation of those values. Artistic expressions could also encompass a range of outputs but do not specifically cover all tangible items created by a culture. Social norms, similarly, relate to expected behaviors within a society and are not embodied in physical objects. Therefore, artifacts serve as the distinct category that captures the tangible elements of a culture effectively.