AP Human Geography Chapter 6

Centripetal Forces

Factors that unify people and enhance a sense of place.

Centrifugal Forces

Factors that divide people and create disunity.

Cultural Hearths

The originating areas from which cultural concepts and practices spread.

Universalizing Religions

Religions that attempt to be global and appeal to all people, regardless of location.

Ethnic Religions

Religions that are tied to a specific group of people or location and spread primarily through relocation.

Relocation Diffusion

The spread of a cultural trait or religion through the movement of people.

Expansion Diffusion

The spread of a cultural trait or religion through various processes whereby it gains adherents.

Contagious Diffusion

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of a feature or trend from one key person or node of authority to other persons or places.

Pilgrimage

A journey to a sacred place or site that is significant to a particular religion.

Religious Landscape

The characteristics and organization of religious practices and structures in a given area.

Monotheism

The belief in a single all-powerful God.

Polytheism

The belief in or worship of multiple deities.

The Ganges River

The holiest river in Hinduism, often associated with purity and used for religious rituals.

Buddhist Pagodas

Architectural structures that serve as centers for meditation in Buddhism.

Caste System

A hierarchical social structure in Hinduism that dictates social status and mobility.

Missionaries

Individuals who work to spread their religious beliefs to new areas.

Religious Conflicts

Disputes arising from differences in religious beliefs among groups.