AP Human Geography - Unit 3: Culture and Cultural Diffusion

Introduction

• Focus: Culture, its impact on human environments, and cultural diffusion.
• Definition of Culture: Shared practices, technologies, attitudes, and behaviors of a society.
• Cultural Iceberg:
  • Above the Water: Observable elements (language, clothing, behavior).
  • Below the Water: Less visible elements (thought patterns, cultural rules).

Culture and Its Effects on Society

Cultural Traits

• Categories: Food preferences, architecture, land use.
  • Food Preferences: Reflect a society's history (example: Singapore influenced by southern Chinese food).
  • Architecture: Reveals societal culture (example: American suburbs vs. adobe houses).
  • Land Use: Shows cultural influence (example: grass lawns in Nevada).

Attitudes Toward Cultural Differences

• Cultural Relativism: Evaluation by one's own standards, acceptance.
• Ethnocentrism: Judging others by one's own standards, often leads to xenophobia.

Cultural Landscapes

Modifications that Reflect Culture

1. Agricultural and Industrial Practices:
   • Cultivation practices (example: cornfields, rice paddies).
   • Industrial practices (example: row houses in Baltimore).
2. Religious Influence:
   • Building sacred structures (churches, mosques, temples).
3. Linguistic Characteristics:
   • Multilingual signage (example: Chinatown in NYC).
4. Sequential Occupants:
   • Layers of historical cultural influence (example: Dome of the Rock).
5. Traditional and Postmodern Architecture:
   • Traditional (local materials and needs).
   • Postmodern (emphasis on form).

Cultural Identity and Space

1. Ethnicity: Enclaves influence the cultural landscape.
2. Gender: Influences land rights and public spaces.
3. Ethnic Neighborhoods: Stem from migration and historical discrimination.
4. Indigenous Communities: Exist with a distinct government.

Cultural Diffusion

Types of Diffusion

1. Relocation Diffusion: Diffusion through migration.
2. Expansion Diffusion: Cultural traits spread, people stay in place:
   • Contagious: Rapid, widespread.
   • Hierarchical: From leaders to others.
   • Stimulus: Inspired by others.

Causes of Diffusion

1. Colonialism and Imperialism:
   • Extension of power and establishment of settlements.
   • Spread of language and culture (example: English in North America).
2. Trade:
   • Diffusion of ideas and goods (example: Silk Roads).

Contemporary Causes

• Globalization: Increased cultural interaction and exchange.
• Urbanization: Diverse cultural interaction in cities.
• Media and Technology: Spread of ideas (example: K-pop).
• Politics and Economy: Influence through global interaction.

Effects of Cultural Interactions

1. Acculturation: Adoption of some traits while retaining original culture.
2. Assimilation: Full adoption of the dominant culture.
3. Syncretism: Fusion of cultural traits.
4. Multiculturalism: Coexistence of diverse cultures.

Diffusion of Language and Religion

Language

• Language Families: Shared ancestral languages.
• Branches: Similarities in grammar and syntax.
• Dialects: Regional variations of the language.

Religion

• Universalizing Religions: Broad appeal, adaptable (Christianity, Islam).
• Ethnic Religions: Linked to specific ethnic groups (Hinduism, Judaism).

Visual Representation of Diffusion

• Maps, Charts, Toponyms: Show diffusion patterns.

Cultural Convergence and Divergence

• Convergence: Cultures become similar.
• Divergence: Cultures maintain distinctive traits despite interactions.

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