AP Human Geo Unit 3

Indigenous Culture

The cultural practices, beliefs, and values of native peoples that are often tied to their historical and ancestral lands. Indigenous cultures are characterized by unique languages, traditions, and social structures.

Folk (Local) Culture

Homogenous (of the same kind) group of people with a strong connection in beliefs and customs. This common culture is often isolated and/or  necessary for a group’s survival. Example - Amish.

Popular Culture

Large diverse heterogeneous (different) group - heavily influenced by social media, television, film, etc. Widespread and changes constantly. Leads to the idea of placelessness - everything looks the same.

Cultural Trait

A single element of normal practice in a culture, such as the wearing of a turban. Traits are the building blocks of culture.

Cultural Relativism

the practice of evaluating a culture by its own standards - don't judge on culture based on the views of your culture. 

Ethnocentrism

Judging other cultures based on the rules of your culture. Often leads to belief that your culture is better than others - can lead to racism and or xenophobia (fear of outside cultures)

Artifact

Physical aspects of a culture - things that are visible / tangible - pyramids, jeans, chopsticks,

Mentifact

Aspects of a culture that are not tangible they are Non-physical ideas - belief systems, traditions, religions

Sociofact

The social structures of a culture that dictate social behavior. Examples: families, tribes, states, schools, neighborhood, sports teams, social classes, gangs, corporation

Sequent Occupance

Successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, each contributing to the cumulative cultural landscape. For example a Safeway becoming an Asian Market as more Asians move into an area.

Postmodern Architecture

Modern Architecture Buildings are typically simple and practical.  POST modern - emerged as a reaction against the strict functionality of modern architecture, often incorporating decorative elements.  Essentially, it prioritizes form and design over pure function, making a building more visually engaging

Traditional Architecture

Characterized by use of local materials and knowledge. Buildings are typically simple and practical.

Ethnicity

membership in a group of people who share characteristics such as ancestry, language, customs, history, and common experiences.

Ethnic Neighborhood

An area within a city containing members of the same ethnic background

Cultural Hearth

Where cultural traits develop (originate) and from which they diffuse.

Relocation Diffusion

the spread of a cultural trait by people who migrate and carry their cultural traits with them. Ex: spread of pizza (Italy to US by immigrants in 19th century)

Expansion Diffusion

An idea or innovation spreads outward from the hearth (origin).  Expansion includes stimulus diffusion, hierarchical and reverse hierarchical diffusion.

Stimulus Diffusion

occurs when people in a culture adopt an underlying idea or process from another culture, but modify it because they reject one trait of it. EX: People in India eating Western (US/European) fast food but coming up with vegetarian versions of it

Hierarchial Diffusion

The spread of culture outward from the most interconnected places or from centers of wealth and importance→ works its way down the social ladder. EX: music, fashion, fads + CELL PHONES in the 80s (were very expensive and only owned by the wealthy in large cities

Lingua Franca

common language spoken by peoples with different native tongues - Makes communication possible!

Creolization

Over time two or more separate languages can mix and develop a more formal language and vocabulary)

Globalization

Process causing the growing interdependence (relying on others) of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.

Time-Space Convergence

Technological changes in transportation and communication accelerate interactions which leads to greater cultural change.  Example, jet airplanes, the internet allow for more rapid sharing of cultures via contagious diffusion.

Cultural Convergence

the theory that two cultures will be more and more like each other as their interactions increase. EX: Parents encouraging their children to learn to speak English

Cultural Divergence

when a culture separates or goes in a different direction EX: Parents encouraging their children NOT to learn English and to speak only the native language.

Centripetal Force

Uniting forces that bring people together.  For example:

Shared religion→ Roman Catholicism unites Irish against British  

External threats→ Estonians are united by fear of Russia

Common language→ Japanese share the same language

Centrifugal Force

Forces that break people or a nation apart.  For example

Religion: for example Israel → Christian, Jewish, and Muslim influences cause conflict

Language: for Example Canada→ English, French, 

Language Family

a group of languages related by descent from a common ancestor, called the proto-language of that family

Indo-European Language Family

family of languages that by 1000 BC were spoken throughout Europe and in parts of southwestern and southern Asia

Toponym

The study of place names - often names are derived from geographical features, current or previous cultures. Ex. Dutch founded New Amsterdam - English renamed it New York. Chesapeake comes from a native Indian name

Dialect

Regional, recognizable variety of a language. Distinguished by spelling, vocabulary, syntax (the way words are put together to form phrases), pronunciation

Universalizing religion

Faiths that claim applicability to all humans. Open to anyone who chooses to make some sort of symbolic commitment to the religion

Ethnic Religion

Religions that appeal primarily to one group of people living in one place.

Acculturation

When a culture is substantially changed through interaction with another culture EX: A culture adapts some traits of the dominant culture but still retains some of its cultural aspects

Assimilation

When a culture is totally lost due to contact with a more dominant culture.  Typically assimilation is forced for example the experience of Native Americans in the US and Canada.  

Sometimes - can be a choice: some Immigrants choosing to fully integrate into the culture of the country they moved to,

Syncretism

the mixing of two or more religions that creates unique rituals, artwork, and belief

Multiculturalism

the idea that different cultures in a society deserve value and respect for unique differences (the "mixed salad" concept) EX: Zimbabwe having 16 different official languages to honor all of the tribal groups that make it up. Montgomery County Schools get days off for different religious holidays