AP Human Geography Chapter 4

Culture

Materials, beliefs, and social structures that characterize a group of people.

Visible elements of culture

Physical traits and artifacts associated with a culture.

Beliefs and values

Shared ideas about what's important in a culture, which include language and religion.

Social forms

Social structures including ethnicity and political institutions that shape a culture.

Custom

A repetitive act of a group that becomes characteristic of that group.

Material culture

The physical objects or products of a culture.

Nonmaterial culture

The beliefs, values, and practices of a culture.

Folk culture

Culture practiced by small homogeneous groups living in isolated rural areas.

Popular culture

Culture found in large heterogeneous societies that share certain habits despite differences.

Hearth

The point of origin for a cultural trait.

Diffusion through relocation

The spread of cultural traits through the movement of people.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence.

Terroir

The contribution of the natural environment to the taste of food.

Food taboos

Restrictions on certain foods based on cultural or religious beliefs.

Assimilation

The process of giving up cultural traditions for those of the dominant culture.

Acculturation

Adjustment to the dominant culture while retaining features of one's own culture.

Syncretism

Creation of new cultural features by combining elements from different cultures.

Sustainability challenges for folk culture

Risks of folk culture disappearing due to globalization and dominant popular culture.

Sustainability challenges for popular culture

Environmental issues caused by the spread of popular culture.