AP Human Geography- Unit 3

Cultural Patterns and Processes

Carl Sauer

An influential geographer known for his work on cultural landscapes and the interaction between humans and the environment. Sauer emphasized the importance of human culture in shaping the Earth's surface.

Cultural Landscape

The visible features of an area influenced by human activity, reflecting the cultural practices and values of a society.

Sequent Occupance

The concept that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, contributing to the cumulative cultural landscape.

Scale of Analysis

The level of detail used to examine phenomena, which can range from local to global perspectives in geographic studies.

Trait

A distinguishing characteristic or feature of a culture, often manifesting in practices, beliefs, or material objects.

Complex

A combination of traits that together form a distinct cultural identity or pattern within a society.

Group

A collection of individuals who share common cultural traits, values, or practices, often forming a cohesive unit within a society.

System

An organized set of interrelated components or elements that work together to shape cultural practices and beliefs within a society.

Realm

A larger region characterized by a shared cultural landscape or common cultural traits that distinguish it from other realms.

centrifugal forces

Various factors that can disrupt societal cohesion, such as political differences, ethnic tensions, or economic disparities that lead to division within a population.

centripetal forces

Factors that promote societal unity, such as shared beliefs, political stability, or common interests that help to bind a population together.

ethnic and cultural identity

The distinct characteristics and shared experiences that define a group based on their cultural background, heritage, language, and social practices.

gendered spaces

Areas that are designated or influenced by gender norms, affecting how different genders experience and interact within those spaces.

ethnic neighborhoods

Areas where residents share ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often characterized by specific social practices, languages, and communal activities.

indigenous communities

Groups of people who are the original inhabitants of a region, maintaining distinct cultures, languages, and social practices shaped by their historical and environmental context.

sacred sites

Places that hold spiritual significance for particular religious or cultural groups, often associated with rituals, ceremonies, or cultural heritage.

cultural language hearths

Regions where specific languages or dialects originate and flourish, often becoming influential centers for cultural exchange and dissemination of linguistic practices.

cultural religious hearths

Regions where specific religious beliefs or practices originate, serving as centers for cultural exchange and the spread of religious traditions.

cultural innovation hearths

Regions where new ideas, technologies, or practices emerge and spread, influencing cultural development and adaptation.

relocation diffusion

The spread of cultural traits through the physical movement of people from one place to another, leading to the transfer of ideas and practices.

expansion diffusion

The spread of cultural traits through indirect means, such as social interactions or hierarchical channels, without the physical relocation of people.

contagious diffusion

The rapid spread of cultural traits through direct contact and interaction among people, often facilitated by social networks and media.

hierarchical diffusion

The spread of cultural traits in a top-down manner, where ideas or trends jump from one segment of the population to another, typically starting from influential figures or nodes.

stimulus diffusion

The process where a specific cultural trait or idea is adopted by a different culture, altering it in some way while retaining some characteristics of the original.

imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomatic or military means, often resulting in the domination of one nation over another.

colonialism

The practice of establishing political control over a territory and settling it with colonists, typically exploiting resources and displacing indigenous populations.

mercantilism

An economic policy aimed at maximizing exports while minimizing imports to accumulate wealth, often associated with colonial empires.

creolization

The process by which cultural elements from different societies blend to create new, distinct cultures, often occurring in colonies where European and indigenous influences converge.

lingua franca

Languages that facilitate communication between people of different native languages, often used in trade or diplomacy.

examples of lingua francas

include Swahili, Arabic, and French, which serve as common languages in diverse regions, enabling communication among speakers of various native languages.

islamic world

Refers to the countries and regions where Islam is the dominant religion, including areas in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, characterized by shared cultural, historical, and religious ties.

christian world

refers to regions and societies predominantly influenced by Christian beliefs and practices, often characterized by a shared cultural and religious history.

eastern religions

Includes Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which are primarily practiced in Asia and share distinct philosophical and spiritual traditions.

universalizing religions

Religions that seek to gain followers globally, such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, emphasizing universal appeal and missionary work.

ethnic religions

Religions that are closely tied to particular ethnic groups or cultures, such as Judaism and Shinto, often emphasizing heritage and tradition rather than seeking widespread conversion.

urbanization

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population lives in urban areas, leading to the growth and development of cities.

urban hearths of culture

Geographical areas where urbanization began, often characterized by significant cultural, technological, and agricultural innovations that enabled the development of cities.

influence of the media on urbanization

The role of various media forms in shaping public perceptions, behaviors, and decisions regarding urban life, often affecting migration patterns and urban growth.

economic globalization

The interconnectedness of economies through trade, investment, and capital flow, influencing local economies and cultures worldwide.

cultural globalization

The worldwide exchange and sharing of cultural elements, such as ideas, values, norms, and practices, facilitated by advancements in communication and transportation.

time-space compression

The process by which advancements in technology and communication reduce the perceived distance between places, leading to increased interactions and exchanges across space.

communications technology

Refers to tools and systems that facilitate the transmission of information and communication over distances, significantly impacting globalization and cultural exchange.

cultural convergence

The process by which different cultures become more similar through shared experiences and influences, often as a result of globalization and increased interaction.

cultural divergence

The process by which cultures become more distinct and different from each other, often due to isolation, differing values, and unique historical experiences.

pidgin languages

Simplified languages that develop as means of communication between speakers of different native languages, often for trade or other purposes.

regional isoglosses

Boundary lines that separate areas with different linguistic features, such as dialects or pronunciations.

pervasive popular culture

Widely distributed trends and practices that are adopted globally through media, technology, and globalization.

increasing use of english

The growing prevalence of English as a global lingua franca, affecting communication in various domains such as business, education, and travel.

loss of indigenous culture

The decline of traditional practices, languages, and identities of indigenous peoples, often due to external influences such as colonization and globalization.

language trees

A visual representation of the relationships between different languages, illustrating their common ancestral languages and how they have evolved over time.

conquest theory

A hypothesis explaining the spread of languages, particularly how the spread of Indo-European languages occurred through the conquest and migration of peoples, leading to cultural and linguistic dominance.

renfrew hypothesis

A theory that proposes that the dispersal of Indo-European languages originated from agricultural practices in Anatolia, spreading with the movement of farming communities across Europe.

backward reconstruction

A linguistic method used to retrace the evolution of languages by analyzing phonetic changes and reconstructing the features of a parent language.

soundshifts

Changes in pronunciation that occur over time in languages, helping linguists track linguistic evolution and relationships among language families.

cognates

Words in different languages that have a common etymological origin, often sharing similar meanings and sounds.

standard language

A variety of a language that is recognized as the most acceptable or prestigious, often used in official communication and education.

official language

A language that is given a special legal status in a particular country or region, often used in government, legislation, and often communication with citizens.

vernacular language

A variety of language spoken by ordinary people in a specific region, often differing from the formal standard language. It reflects the cultural identity and everyday communication of a community.

extinct languages

Languages that are no longer spoken or used by any community, often losing all native speakers.

revived languages

Languages that have been brought back into use after falling out of everyday conversation, typically through revitalization efforts.

linguistic languages

Languages that are used for communication between speakers of different native languages, often in trade or diplomatic contexts.

western religious hearths examples

Examples of significant locations where major Western religions originated, such as Christianity in the Middle East, Judaism in Israel, and Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. These hearths are pivotal in understanding the geographical spread and cultural impact of these faiths.

eastern religious hearths examples

Locations significant to Eastern religions, including Hinduism in India, Buddhism in Nepal, and Taoism in China. These hearths help illustrate the diffusion and cultural significance of these religions.

acculturation

The process of cultural change and adaptation that occurs when individuals or groups from one culture adopt traits of another culture, often as a result of prolonged contact.

assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups fully adopt the cultural traits of another culture, leading to a loss of their original cultural identity.

syncretism

The blending of two or more religious or cultural traditions, resulting in a new, hybrid belief system that incorporates elements from each. This often occurs in areas of cultural interaction and exchange.

transculturation

The process in which two cultures influence each other, resulting in the merging or reshaping of cultural traits, often through mutual exchange and adaptation.

placelessness

The loss of uniqueness of a place in the cultural landscape, often due to homogenization and globalization, resulting in environments that appear similar across different locations.

cultural commodification

The transformation of cultural symbols, artifacts, or practices into commodities for sale or consumption. This process often occurs when aspects of a culture are appropriated and marketed for economic gain.

protective legislation

Laws designed to safeguard specific cultural practices, communities, or resources from exploitation and harm, often aimed at preserving cultural heritage.

barriers to diffusion

Factors that slow or prevent the spread of cultural traits, ideas, or innovations from one place to another. These can include physical obstacles, cultural resistance, or legal restrictions.

interfaith

relating to or between different religions, promoting dialogue and understanding among them.

intrafaith

Referring to interactions, conflicts, or discussions that occur between members of the same faith or religion. This can include different denominations or sects within a religion.