WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture

A social creation of shared beliefs, attitudes, practices, behaviors, and certain objects.

Material Culture

Tangible or real aspects of culture that hold significance for a group, such as clothing, food, and tools.

Non-material Culture

Beliefs, ideas, attitudes, or behaviors of a group of people that are not tangible.

Sociofacts

Cultural norms that regulate social behavior in relation to the group, like shaking hands.

Mentifacts

Cultural meanings and beliefs behind behaviors, such as a ring symbolizing marriage.

Habit

An individual practice performed repeatedly in similar situations, such as daily showering.

Custom

A repeated behavior of a group in given situations, like holding a door for someone.

Tradition

Customs that are cherished and passed down, usually associated with specific times or events.

Taboo

Behaviors that are not culturally acceptable within a group, such as picking one’s nose.

Culture Complex (CC)

A collection of cultural traits that make up a particular culture.

Cultural Hearth

A core area where a culture originates and develops.

Cultural Region (CR)

An area characterized by similar cultural beliefs and practices.

Cultural Realm

A major world area showing significant cultural distinctiveness.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of culture or characteristics from one region to another.

Folk Culture

Culture that changes very little over time and is reinforced from generation to generation.

Ecotourism

Environmentally sensitive tourism that aims to minimize environmental damage.

Cultural Ecology

The study of the interaction between cultures and their environments.

Adaptive Culture

Culture that is modified by its environment for survival.

Globalization of Culture

The process by which cultures become more similar, influenced by more developed countries (MDCs).

Acculturation

The addition of new cultural traits while maintaining traditional values.

Assimilation

The process by which cultural traits are lost and absorbed into a dominant culture.

Sequent Occupance

The cultural landscape's reflection of different cultures that have occupied the same area over time.

Carl Sauer

A geographer who studied the interaction of culture and the landscape.

Multiculturalism

The celebration and recognition of diverse cultures within a community.

Centripetal Force

A force that binds people together within a culture or society.

Centrifugal Force

A force that divides or disunites people within a culture or society.