Cultural traits, ethnicity, and identity: ways in which the specturm of diveristy is widening/narrowing

what is culture

the shared system of beliefs, values, customs, behaviours, and artifacts that society use to understand their world and one another 

why does culture matter in geography

• shapes identity and place attachement

• influences settlement patterns, land use and conflict

• affects development, migration and globalisation

how many key traits are involved in culture

7

Learned - what does this mean for culture

it is nto biological; its taught through socialisation

Shared - what does this trait involve

culture is collective, binding people through common language, traditions and norms

Symbolic - how does culture use symbols

relies on language, art, gestures, and other symbols that carry meanings recognised by other group members

Dynamic - why is culture described as dynamic

changes over time through internal innovations and external forces like globalisation or migration

Integrated - what does the integration imply among cultural traits

traits are interconnected; change in one area affects others

Adaptive - in what ways is culture adaptive

helps societies adjust to environmental and social challenges such as climate, conflict, or economic shifts 

Ethnocentric and diverse - what tension does this trait highlight

people often see their own culture as “normal”, yet cultures vary widely