APHG: Unit 3: Culture

cultural relativism

understanding and evaluating a culture based on its own standards and context, rather than judging it by the standards of another culture

ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others and using it as a standard judge others

cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the environment

sequent occupancy

The concept of different groups of people have lived in the same place overtime, each living their imprint on the cultural landscape often through toponyms or in the ecosystem

brain drain

a large-scale emigration by talented people, scientists, researchers, doctors, and other professionals migrating to countries where they can make better use of their abilities

centrifugal force

factors that divide and create conflict within a society, EX: uneven economic development, large cultural differences (language, religion), ethnic discrimination, etc

centripetal force

factors that unify and bind a society together, EX: language, religion, government legitimacy, strong sense of nationalism

relocation diffusion

The spread of cultural traits through the physical movement of people

expansion diffusion

The spread of cultural traits from essential point outward without the need for migration

creole language

a stable natural language that emerges from the blending of two or more languages often within a community where different languages are spoken

pidgin language

A simplified language that develops for communication between groups with different native languages (spanglish)

colonialism

The establishment, maintenance and expansion of rule by a sovereign power over subordinate alien population and territory

Lingua franca

A common language used for communication between people who speak different native languages (english, french, spanish, arabic, swahili, hindi)