AP HUG Unit 3

Diffusion

The process by which a cultural trait spreads from one place to another over time

Cultural Hearth

a geographic region where a culture originates, innovates, and from which its traits then spread to other areas

Relocation Diffusion

is the spread of cultural traits or ideas through the movement, or relocation, of people—either individuals or groups

Expansion Diffusion

when an aspect of culture spreads outward from where it originated

Contagious Diffusion

occurs when an idea or cultural trait spreads adjacently, or to people or places that are next to or adjoining one another

Hierarchal Diffusion

is the spread of an idea or trait from a person or place of power or authority to other people or places

Stimulus Diffusion

occurs when the fundamental idea behind a cultural trait stimulates a new innovation

Lingua Franca

common language used among speakers of different languages

Creolization

interactions between cultures can result in two or more cultural elements blending together.

Cultural Convergence

As cultures interact with one another, they become more similar, sharing and adopting one another’s ideas, innovations, and other cultural traits

Cultural Divergence

increased interaction can cause cultures to become more similar, conflicting beliefs or other barriers can cause two cultures to become less similar

Acculturation

where people within one culture adopt some of the traits of another while still retaining their own distinct culture

Assimilation

interaction of two cultures results in one culture adopting almost all of the customs, traditions, language, and other cultural traits of the other

Syncretism

combining different cultural features into something new

Multiculturalism

may share some cultural features with others around them while retaining some of their original cultural traits

Cultural Appropriation

the act of adopting elements of another culture. It is usually used to describe the adoption by a dominant culture of one or more elements of a minority culture

Collectivist Cultures

where people are expected to conform to collective responsibility within the family and to be obedient to and respectful of elder family members

Centrifugal Force

a factor that divides a country and pulls people apart, often leading to fragmentation and instability

Cultural Landscape

the visible human imprint on the environment, representing how culture shapes places

Diaspora

the dispersion of a people from their original homeland to multiple other locations, often due to migration, exile, or persecution

Distance Decay

the principle that the likelihood of interaction between two places decreases as the distance between them increases

Time-Space Compression

the phenomenon where the perceived distance between places shrinks due to advancements in transportation and communication technologies, making the world feel "smaller"

Pop Culture

the ideas, practices, and objects that are widely accepted by large, diverse groups of people and are spread rapidly, often through mass media and globalization

Folk Culture

the traditional practices, customs, and beliefs of small, homogeneous, often rural groups that are passed down through generations

Imperialism

the policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence over another territory through diplomacy, military force, or economic/cultural control, often leading to domination

Colonialism

the practice of one country establishing political control over another territory, often involving settlement and the exploitation of resources and labor for the benefit of the colonizing nation

Culture

is the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group of people

Local Culture

the shared customs, beliefs, and practices of a specific community in a particular place, which distinguishes them from other groups and gives them a sense of collective identity

Material Culture

the physical objects, artifacts, and built environment created, used, and valued by a society that reflect its beliefs, values, and practices

Nonmaterial Culture

the intangible aspects of a society, such as its beliefs, values, norms, customs, and language, which are not physical objects

Neocolonialism

the indirect control and influence of powerful countries over less developed nations through economic, political, and cultural pressures, rather than direct territorial control

Ethnic Neighborhood

a geographic area within a larger city where a specific ethnic group is concentrated, marked by shared cultural practices, language, and institutions like businesses, schools, and places of worship

Commodification

the process of turning non-market items, ideas, or cultural practices (like traditions, art, or even experiences) into products or services that can be bought and sold for profit in a market

Opinion Leaders

are influential individuals (like community elders, experts, or popular figures) who act as trusted intermediaries, shaping public perception and adoption of new ideas, products, or behaviors within local communities

Reterritorialization

the process of reorganizing or re-establishing territory and power after deterritorialization

Placelessness

the geographical concept of a location losing its unique character, resulting in an environment that feels generic and indistinguishable from other places due to the influence of globalization, commercialism, and popular culture

Global- Local Continuum

describes the idea that global processes (like trade, culture, technology) directly influence local places, and local actions (like community preferences, unique resources) shape and adapt global trends

Glocalization

the process of adapting global products, ideas, or practices to local cultures and contexts, resulting in a unique blend of both global and local influences

Globalization

the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of people, economies, cultures, and political systems worldwide, driven by faster communication, trade, technology, and transportation, leading to flows of goods, ideas, capital, and people across borders

Gender

the socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society associates with men and women, rather than biological differences

Identity

the collective sense of self and belonging that individuals and groups have, which is shaped by shared characteristics, experiences, and perspectives

Xenophobia

the fear, dislike, or prejudice against people from other countries, cultures, or backgrounds (strangers), manifesting as hostility, discrimination, or violence, often driven by nationalism, perceived threats to jobs/resources, or cultural bias, and impacting immigration policies and social cohesion

Race

a social construct used to categorize people based on perceived physical differences like skin color and facial features

Racism

the belief that race is a primary determinant of human traits and that differences in race result in the inherent superiority of one race over others

Residetial Segregation

the physical separation of different population groups (based on race, ethnicity, income, etc.) into distinct neighborhoods within an urban area, creating uneven access to resources, services, and opportunities

Succession

the process where new immigrant groups gradually move into and take over neighborhoods previously settled by older immigrant groups, changing the area's cultural landscape and demographics

Ethnicity

a term for a group of people who share a common cultural identity based on factors like language, religion, and traditions, often tied to a specific homeland or hearth

Activity Space

the geographic area where a person or group performs their daily activities

Gendered

how spaces, roles, and activities are socially constructed to favor or restrict certain genders, shaping human interactions, opportunities, and cultural landscapes

Queer Theory

understanding how gender, sexuality, and identity are shaped by, and shape, space, place, and power

Dowry Deaths

the murder or suicide of a bride by her husband or his family, stemming from disputes over an inadequate dowry (payment from bride's family to groom's) in cultures like India

barrioization

the historical process, particularly in the U.S., where Chicano/Latino populations create distinct, residentially segregated neighborhoods (barrios) due to social, economic, and sometimes discriminatory factors

Standard Language

the variant of a language that a country's elite promote for formal use in education, government, and media

Dialects

a regional or social variety of a language that is distinguished by its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

Dialect Chains

describes how dialects change gradually across space, forming a series of connected,

Language Families

a group of languages that share a common, ancient ancestor language and have descended from it over time

Subfamilies

a smaller, more specific grouping within a larger language family, indicating a closer, more recent common ancestor and shared linguistic traits

Official Language

a language officially designated by a country's government through law or policy to be used for governmental functions like legislation, administration, and public communication

Global Language

is a language widely spoken and understood across different cultures

Language Divergence

is the process where a single language breaks into new, distinct dialects or languages

Language Convergence

is the process where two or more languages become more similar over time due to prolonged, intense contact, leading to shared vocabulary, grammar, or sounds

Extinct Language

a language with no native speakers left, meaning it is no longer used for daily communication

Romance Languages

languages that evolved from the spoken Latin (Vulgar Latin) of the Roman Empire

Germanic Languages

a major branch of the Indo-European language family, originating from Proto-Germanic in Northern Europe, encompassing major languages

Slavic Languages

a major branch of Indo-European languages spoken across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and parts of Asia

Pigden Language

a simplified language with a limited vocabulary and grammar that develops between groups speaking different native languages, primarily for communication in contexts like trade or colonization

Creole Languages

a stable, fully developed language that emerges from a pidgin (a simplified communication system) when it becomes the native tongue for a community, blending a colonizer's language with indigenous languages, creating unique grammar and vocabulary

Monolingual States

a country where only one language is spoken

Multilingual States

a country with multiple languages spoken by its population, often leading to cultural diversity but also potential political friction, managed through official languages, regional autonomy, or federal systems

Toponym

the name given to a place on Earth, such as a city, mountain, or river, which provides clues about the location's culture, history, or characteristics

Interface Areas

the zones where different cultural, ethnic, or religious groups, often in distinct neighborhoods, meet and interact

Religion

a cultural system of beliefs, practices, and values that relates humanity to the spiritual or supernatural, shaping identity, landscapes, and social structures by providing meaning, morality, and a sense of community, and influencing everything from political boundaries to sacred sites and daily customs

Indigenous Religion

the traditional spiritual beliefs of native peoples, deeply tied to specific lands, nature, ancestors, and unique cultures, characterized by oral traditions, community focus, spiritual connection to the environment

Monotheistic Religion

a belief system centered on the worship of one single, all-powerful God

Polytheistic Religion

a belief system centered on the worship of multiple gods or deities, often organized into a pantheon, with each god overseeing specific aspects of life, nature, or human experience

Animistic Religion

the belief that spirits inhabit and animate all things in the natural world—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, even weather—blending culture and nature as all entities possess a soul or life force

Universalizing Religion

a faith that actively seeks to appeal to and convert people from all cultures and locations, aiming for global reach rather than being tied to a specific ethnicity or place

Ethnic Religion

a faith closely tied to a specific cultural or ethnic group, deeply rooted in their traditions, history, and geography, and doesn't actively seek converts outside that community

Hinduism

an ethnic religion that originated in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by a wide range of beliefs, practices, and philosophies like dharma (duty), karma (action and consequence), and moksha (liberation)

Caste System

a rigid, hereditary social stratification, primarily in India, where birth determines one's lifelong social status, occupation, and marriage, limiting mobility and reinforcing inequality through distinct, religiously-rooted groups (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits) that shape cultural patterns and opportunities. 

Buddhism

a universalizing religion founded in ancient India by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th century BCE

Shintoism

Japan's indigenous, nature-focused spirituality centered on worshipping kami (spirits/deities in natural elements, ancestors), emphasizing purity, rituals, harmony, and its deep integration with Japanese culture, identity, and the land, often blending syncretically with Buddhism and influencing imperial identity

Taoism

is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion focused on living in harmony with the Tao ("the Way"), emphasizing simplicity, nature, spontaneity, and balance (yin-yang)

Confucianism

an ethical-philosophical system from China, founded by Confucius, emphasizing moral conduct, social harmony, and respect for hierarchy through core concepts like Filial Piety, the Five Relationships

Judaism

an ancient, ethnic monotheistic religion rooted in the traditions of the Jewish people, emphasizing a covenant with one God, ethical conduct, and cultural identity

Sikhism

its belief in one God, equality for all people, social justice, and community service

Secularism

the principle of separating religious institutions and beliefs from government, public life, and education, promoting a neutral state where diverse beliefs (or none) coexist

Interfaith

the positive interaction, dialogue, and cooperation between people or groups from different religions, focusing on understanding, respect

Intrafaith

interactions, boundaries, or conflicts between different major religions ex: Christianity v.s Islam

Christianity

the world's largest universalizing religion, monotheistic faith centered on Jesus Christ's life and teachings, spreading globally through diffusion (missionaries, colonialism) and influencing cultures with branches like Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox, primarily located in Europe, the Americas, and parts of Africa/Asia

Eastern Orthodox Church

a major Christian branch from the Byzantine Empire, known for its distinct Byzantine traditions, icons, rich liturgy, and decentralized structure (many self-governing "autocephalous" churches like Greek, Russian) that split from Catholicism in the Great Schism (1054)

Roman Catholic Church

the largest Christian branch, defined by its papal hierarchy (Pope in Vatican City), strong organizational structure (bishops, priests), and historical role in cultural diffusion, colonization (missions), art (patronage), education (universities), and shaping European/Latin American identity, often blending with local traditions while spreading universalizing beliefs. 

Protestant

the diverse branches of Christianity that emerged from the 16th-century Reformation, challenging Catholic authority and emphasizing scripture, faith, and individual interpretation, significantly shaping global culture, politics, and settlement patterns

Islam

a major universalizing religion, founded by Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to one God (Allah) as taught in the Quran, spreading globally via trade/conquest/missionaries, shaping cultural landscapes

Sunni

the largest branch of Islam, comprising 85-90% of Muslims, who follow the Prophet Muhammad's traditions (Sunnah) and emphasize community consensus (ijma) in leadership, differing from Shia Islam's focus on lineage

Shi’te or Shia

the second-largest branch of Islam, distinguished by its belief that leadership after Prophet Muhammad should have stayed within his family, specifically with his cousin/son-in-law, Ali, and his descendants, influencing its distinct practices, political views, and geographic concentrations

Pilgrimage

journey to a sacred or significant place for religious or spiritual reasons, often involving travel away from a person's "local" environment

Sacred Sites

locations infused with religious or spiritual meaning, holding deep cultural identity, history, and purpose for groups, often serving as centers for worship, pilgrimage, and transmitting beliefs