AP HUGE UNIT 3
Culture A shared system of beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that characterizes a group or society. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies reflect aspects of Japanese culture. |
Cultural Landscape The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape, shaped by cultural practices and beliefs. Gothic cathedrals in Europe showcase the cultural landscape influenced by Christian beliefs. |
Cultural Diffusion The spread of cultural traits from one place to another. The popularity of sushi outside Japan illustrates cultural diffusion. |
Relocation Diffusion The spread of cultural elements through the physical movement of people. Italian immigrants brought pizza to the United States, leading to its popularity. |
Expansion Diffusion The spread of cultural traits in a way that the number of people adopting it grows. The adoption of English as a global language is an example of expansion diffusion. |
Hierarchical Diffusion A type of expansion diffusion where cultural traits spread from important figures or centers of power. Fashion trends often start in major cities like Paris or New York and spread worldwide. |
Contagious Diffusion The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout the population. Viral internet trends like the Ice Bucket Challenge spread quickly through contagious diffusion. |
Stimulus Diffusion The spread of an underlying idea, even if a specific trait fails to spread. The idea of fast food spread to India, but traditional Indian spices and foods adapted it to local tastes. |
Acculturation The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group. Japanese pop culture has integrated many Western fashion styles through acculturation. |
Assimilation When a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture. Native American tribes adopting English and converting to Christianity during colonization is an example of assimilation. |
Cultural Convergence The tendency for cultures to become more alike as they increasingly share technology and organizational structures. Globalization has led to cultural convergence, where Western fast-food chains are found worldwide. |
Cultural Divergence The restriction of a culture from outside influences to maintain cultural identity. North Korea limits outside cultural influences to maintain its cultural identity. |
Ethnocentrism Judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. Some Westerners view certain Eastern dietary practices as unusual, a form of ethnocentrism. |
Cultural Relativism Recognizing that beliefs and practices should be understood within their own cultural context. An anthropologist studying tribal rituals without imposing their own cultural views practices cultural relativism. |
Language Family A group of languages related through descent from a common ancestral language. English, Spanish, and Hindi belong to the Indo-European language family. |
Dialect A regional variation of a language with distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The Southern American English dialect differs in pronunciation and word choice from the Northern dialect. |
Universalizing Religion A religion that seeks to be global and appeals to people of all cultures and locations. Christianity is a universalizing religion, with followers worldwide. |
Ethnic Religion A religion associated with a specific ethnic group that does not actively seek converts. Hinduism is an ethnic religion predominantly practiced in India. |
Syncretism The blending of elements from different religions or cultures. Santería combines African and Christian elements, demonstrating religious syncretism. |
Secularism The principle of separating religion from civic affairs and government. France practices secularism by prohibiting religious symbols in public schools. |
Taboo A social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice. Eating pork is taboo in Islam and Judaism. |
Popular Culture Culture based on the tastes of ordinary people rather than an educated elite, often spread through media. Pop music trends represent popular culture as they are widely followed by the masses. |
Folk Culture Culture traditionally practiced by a small, homogeneous, rural group living in relative isolation. Amish communities in the United States maintain folk culture through traditional clothing and lifestyle. |
Cultural Appropriation The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission. Wearing Native American headdresses as fashion can be seen as cultural appropriation. |
Multiculturalism A perspective that endorses the equal respect and celebration of diverse cultural backgrounds. Cities like Toronto promote multiculturalism by recognizing various cultural festivals and holidays. |
Artifact A physical object made by humans that reflects cultural values or practices. Pottery from ancient civilizations provides insight into their daily life and cultural practices. |
Mentifact An element of culture that represents the ideas and values of a society, like language or religion. Freedom of speech is a mentifact central to American culture. |
Sociofact Structures and organizations that influence social behavior within a culture, like family or government. The nuclear family is a sociofact commonly observed in many Western societies. |
Sequent Occupance The idea that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, creating a layered landscape. Modern Istanbul reflects sequent occupance with Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. |
Creolization The blending of two or more languages or cultures into a new form, particularly seen in language. Haitian Creole developed from French and African languages among enslaved populations in the Caribbean. |
Pidgin Language A simplified language that develops to facilitate communication between speakers of different languages. Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea is a pidgin that combines English with local languages. |
Lingua Franca A common language used for communication between people who speak different native languages. English is a global lingua franca, commonly used in business and international relations. |
Isogloss A boundary that separates regions based on linguistic differences. The line dividing regions in the U.S. that say "soda" from those that say "pop" is an example of an isogloss. |
Toponym The name given to a place on Earth, reflecting its culture and history. New York was named by the British after the Duke of York. |
Ethnic Neighborhood An area within a city that is predominantly inhabited by a specific ethnic group. Chinatown in San Francisco is an ethnic neighborhood with a strong Chinese cultural presence. |
Cultural Hearth The origin area where a cultural trait, idea, or civilization began and spread from. The Nile River Valley is a cultural hearth of early civilization and development. |
Assimilation Policy Government programs aimed at integrating minority groups into a dominant culture. The U.S. assimilation policies toward Native Americans in the 19th century involved relocating and "civilizing" them. |
Neolocalism The movement to embrace local culture and resist globalization and homogenization. Local farmers' markets promote neolocalism by emphasizing regional products and traditions. |
Cultural Imperialism The dominance of one culture over another, often through economic or political influence. Hollywood's global influence on entertainment has led to American cultural imperialism worldwide. |
Placelessness A lack of unique cultural characteristics in a place due to globalization. Many urban areas worldwide have similar shopping malls and fast-food chains, contributing to placelessness. |
Glocalization The adaptation of global products and ideas to fit local cultures and preferences. McDonald's offers teriyaki burgers in Japan as a glocalized menu item. |
Cultural Homogenization The process by which cultures become more alike due to global influences. The spread of Western fashion and entertainment has led to cultural homogenization in many parts of the world. |
Ethnic Cleansing The systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a region. The Bosnian conflict involved ethnic cleansing to remove certain groups from areas of former Yugoslavia. |
Indigenous Culture The traditions and lifestyle of native populations who have a long history in a specific area. The Maori in New Zealand maintain indigenous culture through language, dance, and tattoos. |
Nonmaterial Culture The intangible aspects of culture, such as beliefs, customs, and values. Concepts of honor and respect are key elements of nonmaterial culture in many societies. |
Material Culture Physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture. Traditional clothing, tools, and artifacts make up the material culture of indigenous groups. |
Diaspora The dispersion of people from their homeland, often retaining cultural identity in new locations. The Jewish diaspora has communities around the world, maintaining cultural and religious traditions. |
Revival Language A language that was near extinction but is being brought back by efforts to promote and teach it. Hebrew is a revival language, revitalized in Israel after being nearly extinct. |