Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes
Big Idea 1: Patterns and Spatial Organization (PSO)
- How does where people live and what resources they have access to impact their cultural practices?
Big Idea 2: Impacts and Interactions (IMP)
- How does the interaction of people contribute to the spread of cultural practices?
Big Idea 3: Spatial Patterns and Societal Change (SPS)
- How and why do cultural ideas, practices, and innovations change or disappear over time?
Topic 3.1: Introduction to Culture
Culture compromises of shared practices, technologies, ideas, and behaviors that can be either visible or invisible. Cultural traits are the building blocks of culture that include land use, architecture, and food. There are two different attitudes toward cultural differences. Cultural relativism responds to culture with open minds while ethnocentrism can lead to cultural superiority.
Topic 3.2: Cultural Landscapes
Cultural landscapes are the boundaries of a region the reflect the human imprint on the environment. It can be shown through physical features, sequent occupancy, and architecture (cultural expressions). Attitudes towards ethnicity and gender, including the role of women in the workforce; ethnic neighborhoods; and indigenous communities and lands, help shape the use of space in a given society.
Topic 3.3: Cultural Patterns
Sense of place is the perceived characteristics of a location. Place-making is the process of associating yourself with a place. Language, religion, and ethnicity enhance these two things. It can create either centripetal or centrifugal forces.
Topic 3.4: Types of Diffusion
Diffusion is the spatial spreading of a cultural element. Relocation and expansion such as contagious, hierarchical, and stimulus expansion are types of diffusion. Diffusion can occur through migration or technology. It can spread through social hierarchy and elements might be modified.
Topic 3.5: Historical Causes of Diffusion
Interactions between cultural traits and larger global forces can lead to new cultural expressions. This had been through assimilation or a blend of cultural groups. Colonialism, imperialism, and trade helped spread cultural changes as places were conquered and materials were given value.
Topic 3.6: Contemporary Causes of Diffusion
Cultural ideas and practices are socially constructed as elements are created by society and evolve as it comes into contact with new cultures. Urbanization and globalization create cultural interdependence and diversity. Communication technologies accelerate interactions and changes, leading to cultural convergence and/or divergence.
Topic 3.7: Diffusion of Religion and Language
Language and religion diffuse from cultural hearths, which is the point of origin of cultural elements, and can be modified. Language families and religions have distinct places of origin and can diffuse to other locations through practices and belief systems. Universalizing religions spread through expansion or relocation diffusion while ethnic religions are found near the cultural heart.
Topic 3.8: Effects of Diffusion
Diffusion results in changes to an environment such as acculturation and assimilation as well as syncretism and multiculturalism. It results in the blending of cultures, adopting elements, and cultural diversity.
Vocabulary
Acculturation - the adaptation of the behavior or patterns of the surrounding culture
Assimilation - the process through which people lose their distinctiveness when they come into contact with another culture or society
Ethnocentrism - evaluating another culture through the lens of one’s own culture (can lead to cultural superiority)
Globalization - the process of intensified interaction among people, governments, and companies of different cultures around the world
Lingua franca - a common language used between groups who don’t share a home language to communicate effectively. World religion - widely recognized, widespread, and fundamental religions (Christianity or Islam)