Studied by 39 PeopleCulture
Tags & Description
Culture
Shared beliefs, values, practices, behaviors and technologies of a society.
Cultural Traits
Visible and invisible attributes that combine to make up a group’s culture
Customs
repetitive act of a group, performed to the extent that it becomes characteristic of the group
Habits
repetitive act that a particular individual performs
Folk Culture
traditionally practiced primarily by small, homogenous groups of people often living in rural areas that are isolated and unlikely to change
Pop Culture
large, heterogeneous groups of people, often living in urban areas that are interconnected through globalization and internet/social media. Quick to change, time-space compression
Cultural Icons
a symbol that is so unique or close associated with that culture, that it is now linked with that culture
Indigenous (people)
distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced.
Norms
what is considered to be normal in the confines of your culture
Taboos
very strong negative norm that has prohibition of certain behavior that is so strict that violating results in extreme disgust and even expulsion from the group or society
Folkways
norms that stem from and organize casual interactions and emerge out of repetition and routines (e.g. waiting in line, raising one's hand)
Mores
norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance; written rules (usually laws)
Laws
norm that is formally inscribed at the state or federal level that is enforced by police or other government agents
Cultural Landscape
a natural landscape that has been modified by humans, reflecting cultural beliefs and values
Cultural Realm(s)
Areas of the world that share cultural traits such as language families, religious traditions, food preferences, architectures, and/or a shared history. These cultural traits comprise a similar cultural landscape (although not the exact same) in each of these areas
Architecture
influenced by aesthetics (beauty), religion, available building materials, topography and forms of government
Traditional Architecture
Influenced by the environment and built with available local materials. Reflective of history, culture, and climate
Postmodern Architecture
Diverse designs, representative of popular culture, business and economic success. Example: Skyscrapers
Land Use
sacred spaces, community functions; reflects the cultural values of the people living there
Cultural Institutions
Organization within a culture/subculture that works for the preservation or promotion of culture. (e.g. museums)
Hearth
geographic origin of culture or cultural trait. Traits diffuse from the cultural hearth. (e.g. Tokyo, Paris, London)
Folklore
traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of people, transmitted orally (e.g. Little Red Riding Hood)
Contagious Diffusion
Cultural trait spreads rapidly, widely, continuously from hearth through close contact (e.g. viral memes or videos, Spanish flu)
Hierarchical Diffusion
Spread of cultural traits from most interconnected, powerful, wealthy people/organizations down to others (e.g. Hip-Hop, clothing fads)
Stimulus Diffusion
As cultural traits spread, they are altered/modified due to a cultural barrier, taboo, or difference (e.g. McDonald's menu in India)
Relocation Diffusion
Spread of cultural trait through migration (e.g. spread of Christianity and Islam)
Factors that affect cultural diffusion
distance decay effect, cultural barriers, physical barriers, political barriers, economic barriers
Assimilation
"Post-acculturation” - dominant culture continues to influence, eventually minor culture disappears
Acculturation
Contact occurs > dominant culture traits are adopted but traditional traits remain important
Culture Shock
personal disorientation when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life (from another culture) (e.g. different language, climate)
Cultural Integration
the process of combining cultures together into one - one group assumes culture of other group without sacrificing own culture (e.g. the restaurant industry aka "Melting Pot")
Segregation
separation of people based on racial, ethnic, or other differences
Syncretism
Combination/blending of two cultural traits in order to produce a new cultural trait
Ethnocentrism
judging other cultures in terms of one’s own standards and often includes the belief that one’s own culture/ethnic group is better than others
Multiculturalism
different cultures in a society deserve value and respect for unique differences (e.g. New York City)
Cultural Convergence
theory that two cultures will be more alike as their interactions increase (e.g. change in Taco Bell's menu)
Cultural Divergence
when a culture develops differences and starts to split apart (e.g. the Amish do not use technology)
Material Cultural artifacts
anything that can physically be seen on the landscape (e.g. clothing, architecture, toys)
Non-Materials Cultural concepts
anything on the landscape that comprises culture that cannot be physically touched (e.g. sociofacts, mentifacts)
Artifacts
visible, physical objects created by culture (e.g. clothing, tools, furniture)
Sociofacts
the ways in which a society behaves and organizes institutions (e.g. family, education, government, land use)
Infrastructure
needs met at a basic level (e.g. transport, communications, water)
Structure
society’s economic, social, and political organization
Superstructure
ideology and symbolism
Activity Areas
a geographic extent in which people move in the course of their daily activities
Gendered Areas
places in cultural landscape utilized to reinforce or accommodate gender roles for men and women (e.g. buses for women in Mexico)
Sacred Places
Places of worship
Church/Cathedral
building for public worship and especially Christian worship.
Mosque/Minaret
building used for public worship by Muslims.