Chapter 4 Culture

acculturation

The process of adopting cultural traits or social patterns of another group, while still retaining elements of the original culture.

architecture

The style, layout, and design of buildings and physical structures that reflect a society's values, technology, and environmental adaptations.

artifact

Any physical object produced, shaped, or used by human handiwork, serving as a tangible element of human activity.

assimilation

The complete absorption of an ethnic or minority group into a dominant culture, resulting in the loss of original cultural markers.

cultural appropriation

The process by which members of a dominant group adopt elements of a marginalized culture, often without understanding or respect for their significance.

cultural convergence

The phenomenon where distinct human groups become more similar to one another as a result of increased interaction, communication, and transportation.

cultural divergence

The process where a group splits into distinct subcultures or separates from mainstream influences due to physical isolation, political barriers, or deliberate choice.

cultural extinction

The complete disappearance of an entire way of life, often caused by the loss of language, forced assimilation, or population decline.

cultural relativism

The practice of evaluating and understanding a society's beliefs and behaviors within the context of its own values rather than judging against outside standards.

custom

A repetitive act performed by a group, becoming a characteristic feature of that community.

ethnocentrism

The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or society, leading to the judgment of other ways of life by those internal standards.

folk/local culture

Traditions traditionally practiced by small, homogeneous, rural communities living in relative isolation from outside influences.

habit

A repetitive act performed by a particular individual.

material culture

The physical, tangible objects, resources, and spaces that people create and use to define their society.

minority

A sub-group within a population that differs in race, ethnicity, religion, or language from the dominant population and often holds less political or social power.

multiculturalism

The policy or coexistence of several distinct ethnic and societal groups within a single country without expecting complete integration into a single identity.

nonmaterial culture

The intangible beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, languages, and social organization of a society.

popular culture

Dynamic practices found in large, heterogeneous societies that share certain habits despite differences in other personal characteristics, spreading rapidly via modern technology.

sequent occupancy

The succession of different ethnic or social groups occupying a single geographic area over time, with each leaving visible imprints on the landscape.

taboo

A severe restriction on behavior imposed by social custom, religious belief, or moral prohibition.

terroir

The contribution of a location's distinctive physical features—such as climate, soil, and topography—to the character and flavor of a food or agricultural product.