Cultural Geography Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic culture terms, types of diffusion, cultural interaction, and religion concepts based on the lecture notes.

culture

the knowledge, attitudes, and habitual behavior pattems shared and transmitted by the members of a society

civilization

a complex society that has a highly developed culture & technology

diversity

the practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds

cultural hearth

the place where a culture or idea starts before spreading to other regions

cultural diffusion

the spread of cultural ideas, beliefs, customs, or technologies from one place to another

direct diffusion

cultural exchange of ideas or goods through immediate contact, such as trade between neighbors or communities

Indirect diffusion

transmitted traits through a third party without direct contact between cultures

forced diffusion

practices imposed through conquest, colonization, or political dominance, often resulting in rapid cultural change

acculturation

occurs when cultures interact and influence each other while keeping parts of their original traditions

assimilation

occurs when people blend into a new culture so completely that their original traditions, language, or customs are no longer practiced

multicultural ecclety

a society in which many different cultures live together. while maintaining their unique cultural identities

cultural relativism

the act of not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or normal

ethnocentriem

the act of using your own culture as a base for evaluating other cultures and judging based on own norms, values, or beliefs

folk culture

the traditional practices, customs, and beliefs of a small group of people that are usually passed down from generation to generation

popular culture

the shared practices, trends, and expressions of a society that hold mass appeal

cultural landscape

the visible evidence of human activity on the Earth's surface

monothelem

believing in only one god

polythelem

the belief in many gods

ethnic religion

a belief system closely tied to a specific ethnic group and culture and is usually passed down through generations rather than spread to others

universalizing religion

a belief system that is open to all people and seeks to spread its teachings worldwide through conversion