Unit 3 APHG Key Terms

Material culture

Physical objects that hold significance to individuals or society as a whole

Non-material culture

Intangible elements of culture such as individuals' ideas, beliefs, etc

Subculture

Group of people within a larger society or culture who share a distinct set of beliefs that are different from the main culture

Modern culture

Typically originates in economically developed regions or countries, spreads through hierarchical diffusion, and is diverse

Folk culture

More homogenous and diffuses through relocation diffusion, places emphasis on community, family, and religion playing a central role in daily life

Indigenous culture

Strong emphasis on community and traditional values, with unique language, etc., passed down through generations

Ethnocentrism

Practice of judging culture by standards of one's own culture, may lead to negative stereotypes or general misunderstanding

Cultural relativism

Practice of judging culture by its own standards, promoting the idea that every culture is equal

Cultural landscape

Visible human modifications of the natural environment

Traditional architecture

Incorporates local culture and resources of an area into design

Modern architecture

Focuses on function over design

Postmodern architecture

Incorporates local culture into design

Sequent occupancy

How different people, cultures, etc., have left their mark on a geographic location over time

Built environment

Human-made physical surroundings in an area, all the constructed human-made features of a place

Sense of place

Strong emotional connection to an area influenced by surroundings

Placelessness

When a place lacks unique characteristics and identity, not invoking a strong response from an individual

Placemaking

Process of a community coming together and transforming public space for different activities or events, promoting community and social interaction

Centripetal forces

Aspects of society that bring people together

Centrifugal forces

Aspects in society that divide people and push them apart

Relocation diffusion

Physical movement of a culture or group of people from one place to another

Expansion diffusion

Spread of cultural traits or groups of people from one place to another through person-to-person contact

Contagious diffusion

Spread of cultural traits happening in almost all directions without regard to other cultural factors

Hierarchical diffusion

Spread happening through systems that typically center around some form of power

Reverse Hierarchical diffusion

Diffusion starting at the bottom of the power structure and spreading upwards

Stimulus diffusion

Idea, trait, etc., spreading from one culture or place to another, adapted to better fit the local culture

Lingua franca

Common language used by individuals whose native language is different

Creolization

Process of two cultures/languages coming together to create a new third culture/language

Creole language

A language that forms from the blending of two or more languages

Diaspora

Dispersion of any people from their original homeland, often due to forced migration

Time-space convergence

Reduction of time it takes for something or someone to get from one place to another

Cultural divergence

When individuals become separated from different aspects of their culture

Cultural convergence

Different cultures merging together to form one mass culture, often in the form of a modern or global culture

Universalizing religions

Religions that seek to appeal to all people and spread their teachings and beliefs to as many people as possible

Abrahamic religions

Christianity, Islam, Judaism

Christianity

Diffused mainly through missionaries

Islam

Diffused through conquest, trade, and missionary work

Shia

Accept descendants of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali as the true rulers of Islam

Sunni

Accept the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad and leaders of the faith

Buddhism

Diffused due to relocation diffusion from missionaries relocating to different areas as well as trade routes

Sikhism

Relocation diffusion but limited

Ethnic Religions

Religions primarily centered around specific cultural or ethnic groups and often stay in one location, not trying to convert other people

Hinduism

Stimulus diffusion and migration/relocation diffusion

Judaism

Three main branches, considers Israel as the homeland

Dialects

Regional variances that occur in the form of language based on local culture

Isogloss

Distinct boundary defined by linguistic differences

Assimilation

Process of one culture fully becoming part of another culture

Acculturation

Process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group

Syncretism

Blending of different cultural elements into a new cultural form

Multiculturalism

Coexistence of diverse cultures in a society.