AP Human Geo Unit 3

contagious diffusion

involves the rapid spread of cultural traits directly through personal interactions within a population, regardless of social hierarchy

Distance-controlled spreading of an idea through a local population by contact from person to person.

expansion diffusion

The spread of an idea through a population in a way that the number of those influenced becomes continuously larger. Includes contagious, hierarchical, and stimulus diffusion.

Examples include the spread of Roman culture during the expansion of the Roman Empire and the spread of Western culture during British Imperialism.

hierarchical diffusion

a form of diffusion in which ideas or innovations are spread by passing first among the most connected places or people

stimulus diffusion

A form of diffusion in which a cultural adaptation is created as a result of the introduction of a cultural trait from another place. In other words, it is the spreading of an underlying principle of an idea when the idea as a whole cannot spread to a particular culture.

relocation diffusion

A form of diffusion where the ideas being diffused are transmitted by their carriers as they relocate to new areas

diffusion

The spatial spreading of a culture element or phenomenon

acculturation

the process in which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the traits and social patterns of another culture while still retaining some aspects of their original culture.

syncretism

when cultural traits from two distinct cultures fuse to form a new cultural trait

ethnocentrism

a judgmental perspective - judge others and their way of life from the perspective of your own culture

cultural relativism

a non-judgmental perspective - judge others and their way of life through the eyes of the people who live that way

cultural convergence

when two or more cultures influence each other and become similar with increased contact.

cultural divergence

when cultures become less alike over time due to physical and cultural barriers

learned

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

culture is not inherited, not instinctive

universal

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

every human being has a culture

unique

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

no two cultures are exactly alike; vary geographically

integrative

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

cultural traits form a cultural system; a change in one trait influences others

dynamic

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

culture is never static, but some cultures change faster than others

symbolic

1 of 6 characteristics/elements of culture

culture is passed on through generations

popular culture

the set of ideas, practices, beliefs, and objects that are prevalent and widely accepted within mainstream society at a given time

assimilation

the process through which people lose differentiating traits, such as dress, speech patterns, or mannerisms when come into contact with another society or culture

EX: 

folk (local) culture

Culture traditionally practiced by a small, homogeneous, rural group living in relative isolation from other groups.

cultural landscape

visible imprint of human activity on landscape

material culture

housing, art, clothing, sports, dances, foods, and other similar items constructed by a group of people

nonmaterial culture

beliefs, practices, aesthetics, and values of a group of people

cultural appropriation

process by which other cultures adopt customs and knowledge and use them for their own benefit

commodification

process through which something that previously was not regarded as an object to be bought or sold becomes an object that can be bought, sold, and traded in the world market

ex: housing

placelessness

loss of uniqueness in the cultural landscape

differences in dialects

spelling

pronunciation

syntax

kurgan theory

proto indo-european diffused from kurgan hearth north of caspian sea about 7000 years ago

horse domestication, acculturation, and warfare helped diffusion of language family from its hearth

anatolian hearth theory

indo-european originated in turkey before the kurgans and diffused through agricultural expansion

caucasus mountains

greatest linguistic fragmentation

between Iran and Russia

lingua franca

2 people(s) with different native languages use a lingua franca to communicate with each other; english is a lingua franca (historically because of british imperialism and literature)

architecture

refers to the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures.

artifacts

An object made by human beings; often refers to a primitive tool or other relic from an earlier period

branch (religion)

a large and fundamental division within a religion

denominations

a division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations

sect

a relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination

adherents

A person who supports a certain religion.

caste system

a division of people into distinct groups based on occupation or lineage

creole or creolized language

A language that results from the mixing of colonial and indigenous languages. One forms grammar and syntax and the other forms vocab. Can have many layers because of multiple conquests. A pidgin language has no native speakers (it is acquired), and a creole language has native speakers and standardized structure.

Haitian creole: French + West African
Bislama: English + Melanesian

cultural trait

individual element that makes up a culture, including beliefs, practices, symbols, and values shared by a group of people

culture

shared beliefs, values, norms, customs, and practices of a group of people, shaping their worldview and lifestyle

the sum total of the knowledge, attitudes, and habitual behavior patterns shared and transmitted by the members of a society

dialect

A regional variety of a language distinguished by syntax, spelling, and pronunciation.

ethnic religion

A religion that is particular to one, culturally distinct, group of people. Unlike universalizing religions, adherents of ethnic religions do not actively seek converts through evangelism or missionary work.

A religion with a rather concentrated distribution whose principles are likely to be based on the physical characteristics of the particular location where its adherents are located. This is important because most religions start off as a Ethnic Religion!

Example: Judaism, hinduism in the Caribbean

ethnicity

common origins with ties to culture, religion, language, or nationality

ethnic neighborhoods

a small area within a large city with a strong clustering of a specific ethnic group in which the people living there have a similar ethnic culture and background. This is referred to as an ethnic enclave and has resulted in the creation of specfic ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown in San Francisco or Little Havana in Miami.

Relocation Diffusion has helped in the growth of ethnic neighborhoods as many people from the same ethnic background continue to migrate into the specific area of the city, the ethnic neighborhood continues to grow as much of the cultural elements are brought over to ethnic neighborhoods like specific ethnic food, ethnic language, ethnic religion which help to transform the area and welcome new immigrants.

gender

A culture's assumptions about the differences between men and women including their characters and the roles they play in society.

cultural hearth

Heartland, source area, innovation center; place of origin of a major culture.

indigenous language

a language that is native to a particular region or people, often spoken by the original inhabitants of an area

indigenous people

groups of people who have historical ties to a particular territory, often predating colonial or outside influences

language extinction (endangered languages)

Language extinction refers to the process by which a language loses its last native speakers, leading to its total disappearance from use and communication.

Endangered languages are those that are at risk of falling out of use, typically because they have few speakers remaining.

language branch

A collection of languages related through a common ancestor that existed several thousand years ago. Differences are not as extensive or old as with language families, and archaeological evidence can confirm that these derived from the same family.

language family

A collection of languages related to each other through a common ancestor long before recorded history.

language group

A collection of languages within a branch that share a common origin in the relatively recent past and display relatively few differences in grammar and vocabulary.

multiculturalism

the coexistence of diverse cultural groups within a society, promoting the recognition, appreciation, and preservation of different cultural identities

post modern architecture

a style that emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction against modernism's perceived lack of context, uniformity, and ornament

• Rejection of modernism: Postmodernism is a direct response to the minimalist, functionalist, and "less is more" principles of modern architecture.

• Historical references: It reincorporates elements from various historical styles, such as classical or vernacular, often creating a dialogue between past and present.

• Contextualism: This approach considers the existing urban and cultural environment, designing buildings that respond to and connect with their surroundings, materials, and local character.

• Complexity and contradiction: Postmodern architecture embraces "both-and" over "either-or," using hybrid elements, and a "messy vitality" rather than obvious unity.

• Ornamentation and symbolism: It brings back ornament, color, and playful, sometimes exaggerated, forms, rejecting the severe austerity of modernism.

• Eclecticism: Postmodern buildings often juxtapose different styles, materials, and symbols, creating a layered and diverse aesthetic.

pilgrimage

a journey undertaken by individuals to a sacred place or shrine, often for religious reasons

revived language

one that having experienced near or complete extinction as either a spoken or written language, has been intentionally revived and has regained some of its former status

What is the difference between a language family, branch and group?

Family - collection of languages related through a common ancestral language
Branch - collection of languages within a family related through a common ancestral language differences are not as significant or old as families
Group - collection of languages within a branch that share a common origin in the relatively recent past and display similar grammar and vocabulary

What is the largest language family?

Indo-European

What is the Origin of English? (use family, branch and group)

Indo-European
Germanic
West Germanic

secularism

the principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions, promoting a society where religious beliefs do not influence public policy or governance

sense of place

the emotions someone attaches to an area based on their experiences

sequent occupancy

refers to the process by which successive groups of people settle in a particular area, leading to layers of cultural influence and change over time

taboo

a cultural or social prohibition that dictates what behavior, practice, or discussion is considered unacceptable or forbidden within a society

toponym

a name given to a place or geographic feature, often reflecting the culture, history, or characteristics of that location

universalizing religion

Religions that attempt to be global, to appeal to all people, wherever they may live in the world, not just to those of one culture or location.

addis ababa, capital of ethiopia

mogadishu, capital of somalia

nairobi, capital of kenya

dakar, capital of senegal

abuja, capital of nigeria

khartoum, capital of sudan

freetown, capital of sierra leone

bloemfontein, judicial capital of south africa

cape town, legislative capital of south africa

pretoria, administrative capital of south africa