Unit 3 of AP Human Geography: Culture and Its Impact

Introduction

• Focus on culture: its definition, spread, and impact on human environments.
• Culture: Shared practices, technologies, attitudes, behaviors of a society.
• Cultural Iceberg:
  • Above water: Observable traits like language, clothing, behavior.
  • Below water: Less visible traits like thought patterns, cultural rules.

Cultural Traits

• Categories of Cultural Traits:
  • Food Preferences: Reflect societal history (e.g., Southern Chinese influence in Singapore).
  • Architecture: Reflects shared national or regional taste (e.g., Adobe homes in the American Southwest).
  • Land Use: Reflects cultural history (e.g., Grass lawns in Nevada).

Attitudes Toward Cultural Differences

• Cultural Relativism: Evaluating a culture by its own standards.
• Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by one's own standards, often accompanied by xenophobia.

Cultural Landscapes

• Definition: How people modify the landscape reflecting their culture.
• Influences on Cultural Landscapes:
  • Agricultural and Industrial Practices: Unique practices leave cultural imprints.
  • Religion: Construction of sacred spaces (e.g., churches, mosques).
  • Linguistic Characteristics: Signs in multiple languages reflect cultural diversity.
  • Sequent Occupance: Layers of cultural history (e.g., Dome of the Rock).
  • Architecture: Traditional vs. postmodern architecture reflects cultural identity.

Sense of Place

• Factors Contributing to Sense of Place:
  • Language: Dialects contribute to regional identity.
  • Religion: Religious buildings reflect cultural values.
  • Ethnicity: Cultural landmarks create a sense of community.

Forces Affecting Cultural Dynamics

• Centripetal Forces: Unite people (e.g., common language, religion).
• Centrifugal Forces: Divide people (e.g., religious sects, language barriers).

Cultural Diffusion

• Definition: Spread of cultural traits from one place to another.
• Types of Diffusion:
  • Relocation Diffusion: Cultural traits spread through migration.
  • Expansion Diffusion: Cultural traits spread while originating group stays put.
    • Contagious Diffusion: Rapid, widespread (e.g., slang).
    • Hierarchical Diffusion: Top-down spread (e.g., hip-hop music).
    • Stimulus Diffusion: Original trait inspires a new trait (e.g., McDonald's menu adaptations).

Historical Causes of Diffusion

• Colonialism and Imperialism: Spread languages, religions, cultural traits.
  • Example: European languages in the Americas.
• Trade: Exchange of cultural ideas along trade routes (e.g., Silk Roads).
• Emergence of New Cultures: Through lingua franca and creolization.

Contemporary Causes of Diffusion

• Globalization: Interdependence of global economies and cultures.
  • Influence of Technology: Internet and media spread cultural ideas (e.g., K-pop).
  • Urbanization: Cultural interactions heightened in cities.

Results of Diffusion

• Cultural Convergence: Cultures becoming more similar.
• Cultural Divergence: Cultures maintaining distinct identities despite interaction.

Diffusion of Language and Religion

• Language Categorizations:

  • Language Family: Broadest category, shares a common ancestor.
  • Language Branch: More specific, similar grammar and syntax.
  • Individual Languages/Dialects: Varied within regions (e.g., Spanish dialects).

• Religion: Spread through cultural hearts, affected by practices and beliefs.

  • Universalizing Religions: Appeal to multiple cultures (e.g., Christianity, Islam).
  • Ethnic Religions: Tied to specific ethnic groups and regions (e.g., Hinduism).

Outcomes of Cultural Interactions

• Acculturation: Adoption of some traits while maintaining original culture.
• Assimilation: Almost complete adoption of surrounding cultural traits.
  • Forced Assimilation: Imposed by policies.
  • Voluntary Assimilation: Choice to assimilate for acceptance.
• Syncretism: Blending of cultural traits into new forms.
• Multiculturalism: Maintenance of distinct cultural identities within a society.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding cultural dynamics and diffusion to succeed in AP Human Geography.
• Availability of resources like review guides and practice exams to aid comprehension and exam preparation.