Study Guide Test 2: Culture, Demographics, and Resources

A comprehensive vocabulary review covering cultural traits, social institutions, population density, human-environment interaction, and resource classification from the Test 2 study materials.

Culture

The set of beliefs, customs, values & practices that a group of people have in common (such as language, music, clothing, food, holidays, and religion).

Human Environment Interaction

How people impact their environment (such as using the land to grow crops, build a home, or build a business) and how the environment impacts people (such as when water dries up or a tornado hits).

Culture Trait

An activity or behavior in which people often take part (for example, starting school in August and using forks in the USA, versus starting school in March and using chop sticks in Japan).

Language (in Relation to Culture)

The tool of communication that makes it possible for people to interact and without which culture cannot exist.

Social Institutions

Organized patterns of belief and behavior that focus on meeting needs.

Family

The most basic social institution; it ensures children are cared for until old enough to fend for themselves, provides emotional and physical support, and teaches accepted cultural values, traditions, and customs.

Nuclear Family

The people you live with.

Extended Family

People you are related to who you may or may not live with.

Push and Pull Factors

Circumstances and reasons that cause people to relocate.

Population Density

A measure of the number of people living in an area, expressed as the total number of people living per square mile.

Rural Population Density

A low concentration of people living per square mile.

Urban Population Density

A high concentration of people living per square mile.

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

Two distinct categories of resources and minerals that differ in whether they can be naturally replenished or are finite.