APHG VOCAB UNIT 3

Acculturation

The process by which a culture is transformed due to the massive adoption of cultural traits from another society; often occurs when different cultural groups come into prolonged contact.

Animism

The belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls or consciousness.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing aspects of their original culture.

Buddhism

A major world religion originating in India that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and following the Eightfold Path.

Caste System

A hierarchical social system in India where individuals are born into fixed social positions that often dictate their job and marriage prospects.

Centrifugal forces

Forces that tend to divide a society or group, such as religious differences or political conflicts.

Centripetal forces

Forces that unify a society or group, promoting stability and cohesion, such as a shared language or strong national identity.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible, with followers spread globally.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Contagious diffusion

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout a population, similar to the spread of a virus.

Creolization

The blending of African, European, and Indigenous American cultures, particularly in the Caribbean, resulting in unique cultural expressions.

Cultural convergence

The tendency for cultures to become more alike as they increasingly share technology and organizational structures in a modern world.

Cultural divergence

The tendency for cultures to become increasingly different as they reject or resist outside influences.

Cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape, including buildings, roads, and monuments.

Cultural relativism

The principle of evaluating and understanding a culture based on its own standards rather than judging by another culture's standards.

Culture

The shared practices, technologies, attitudes, and behaviors of a society.

Dialects

Variations in a language's vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation within specific geographic or social groups.

Diaspora

The scattering of people who have a common background or beliefs, often due to forced migration or search for better opportunities.

Ethnic cultures

Cultural traditions, practices, and beliefs specific to an ethnic group, often maintained within multicultural societies.

Ethnic neighborhoods

Areas within cities where people of a similar ethnicity reside and maintain cultural practices.

Ethnic religions

Religions tied to a particular ethnic group that do not seek converts, such as Hinduism and Judaism.

Ethnicity

A group of people who share a common cultural background or descent.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.

Expansion diffusion

The spread of cultural traits through a population where the number of those influenced continuously grows.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and characteristics that a society considers appropriate for men and women.

Gender roles

Societal expectations for behaviors and responsibilities associated with a particular gender.

Globalization

The process by which businesses and other organizations develop international influence, often leading to cultural exchanges and economic interdependence.

Hearth

The region from which innovative ideas originate.

Hierarchical diffusion

The spread of an idea from people or places of authority to other people or places.

Hinduism

A major religion originating in India, characterized by beliefs in karma, dharma, and reincarnation.

Homogeneous

Consisting of parts that are all the same; in cultural terms, societies that are ethnically or culturally uniform.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Indigenous communities

Groups of people native to a particular area who have distinct cultural traditions and languages.

Indo European

A large language family that includes many languages spoken in Europe, South Asia, and Iran.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad, with followers known as Muslims who practice the Five Pillars.

Isogloss

A boundary that separates regions with different languages or dialects.

Judaism

One of the oldest monotheistic religions, centered on the Torah and practiced predominantly by Jewish people.

Land use patterns

The arrangement of land for various purposes, such as residential, commercial, and agricultural uses.

Language

A system of communication using sounds, gestures, or symbols that is shared by a particular group of people.

Language families

Groups of related languages that share a common ancestral language.

Lingua franca

A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

Monotheistic

Belief in the existence of only one god.

Multiculturalism

A policy or process that promotes the diversity of different cultures within a community.

Nativist

Favoring the interests of established inhabitants over those of immigrants or foreign influences.

Pidgin

A simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common.

Pilgrimage

A journey to a place of religious or spiritual significance.

Polytheistic

Belief in multiple gods.

Pop Culture

Modern popular culture transmitted via mass media and aimed particularly at younger people.

Postmodern Architecture

A style of architecture that emerged in the 20th century, known for its departure from traditional designs and use of bold, unconventional forms.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of seats in a legislative body, often based on population changes.

Religion

A structured set of beliefs and practices centered on spiritual elements, often involving a higher power or deity.

Relocation diffusion

The spread of cultural traits or ideas when people move from one place to another.

Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of ideas from lower levels in a hierarchy to higher levels, such as grassroots movements.

Sense of place

A person's perception of the uniqueness of a particular location, shaped by cultural experiences and meanings.

Sequent occupancy

The idea that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, contributing to the cumulative cultural landscape.

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded in Punjab, India, emphasizing equality and devotion to God.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing aspects of a Muslim's daily life.

Slang

Informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or language.

Space Time Compression

The idea that the relative distance between places decreases as technology enables faster communication and transportation.

Stimulus diffusion

The spread of an underlying idea or concept, even though a specific characteristic of the idea does not spread.

Syncretism

The blending of different cultural or religious traditions into a new form.

Theocracy

A form of government where religious leaders control political decisions, or where a state is based on religious law.

Toponyms

Place names that reflect the cultural and historical heritage of a location.

Trade

The exchange of goods and services, often influenced by cultural and economic factors.

Traditional Culture (Folk)

The customs, beliefs, and practices of a relatively homogenous and isolated group that has remained relatively unchanged over time.

Universalizing religions

Religions that seek to convert people worldwide, such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Urbanization

The growth and development of cities as more people move from rural to urban areas.

World Religions

Major religions practiced globally, typically including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism.