Overview of Culture in AP Human Geography

Aug 6, 2024

AP Human Geography Unit 3 Review

Introduction

  • Unit 3 covers major concepts in AP Human Geography related to culture
  • Study guide available in the ultimate review packet
  • Packet includes unit review videos, practice quizzes, study guides, answer keys, practice exams, FRQ resources, vocab lists, and exclusive videos

Culture

Definition

  • No perfect definition
  • Comprised of material and non-material culture
    • Material Culture: Physical objects, artifacts, items (e.g., Japanese tea ceremony items)
    • Non-Material Culture: Ideas, beliefs, values, languages, customs (e.g., rules of tea ceremony)

Subculture

  • Group within a larger society with distinct beliefs, values, practices
  • Example: Different grades/classes in a school

Types of Culture

  • Modern (Pop) Culture: Originates in economically developed regions, spreads through hierarchical diffusion, focuses on individualism, diverse, evolving
  • Folk Culture: Homogeneous, spread through relocation diffusion, emphasizes community, family, religion, tradition
  • Indigenous Culture: Tied to specific regions, strong community, traditional values, unique languages, art, spiritual beliefs

Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism

  • Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by one's own cultural standards
  • Cultural Relativism: Evaluating another culture by that culture's standards, putting oneself in another's shoes

Cultural Landscape

Definition

  • Visible human modifications of the natural environment
  • Includes religious practices, linguistic characteristics, infrastructure, agricultural practices, architectural styles, land use patterns

Types of Architecture

  • Traditional Architecture: Uses local resources, incorporates local culture
  • Modern Architecture: Function over design, often not incorporating local culture
  • Post-Modern Architecture: Unique look, incorporates local culture

Sequent Occupancy

  • How cultures over time have impacted a geographic location

Human and Physical Characteristics

  • Human Characteristics: Demographic data (birth rates, languages, religions)
  • Physical Characteristics: Natural features (rivers, mountains, climate, man-made structures)

Sense of Place

  • Emotional connection or perception of a specific geographic area
  • Influenced by personal experiences, architecture, history, societal interactions

Placemaking

  • Community transformation of public space for activities/events
  • Promotes community and social interaction

Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces

  • Centripetal Forces: Bring people together (shared history, language, values)
  • Centrifugal Forces: Divide people (cultural differences, languages, ethnic and religious divisions)

Diffusion of Culture

Types of Diffusion

  • Relocation Diffusion: Physical movement of culture or people
  • Expansion Diffusion: Spread through person-to-person contact
    • Contagious Diffusion: Spread in all directions (e.g., viral videos)
    • Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread through systems of power (e.g., fashion trends, social media)
    • Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread from bottom to top (e.g., small business expanding)
    • Stimulus Diffusion: Idea spreads but is adapted (e.g., McDonald's menus)

Historical Causes of Diffusion

  • Colonialism and Imperialism: Spread of languages, religions, cultures
    • Example: English as a lingua franca, spread of Christianity
  • Trade and Commerce: Columbian Exchange, Triangular Trade, Silk Road

Contemporary Causes of Diffusion

  • Technology and Globalization: Break down barriers, increase urbanization, reduce distance decay, time-space convergence (e.g., social media, internet)
  • Multinational Corporations: Spread of businesses like McDonald's, Starbucks
  • Global Political Alliances: Collaboration for security, research, international issues
  • Military Presence: Diffusion of American culture and English

Religion and Language

Universalizing vs. Ethnic Religions

  • Universalizing Religions: Seek to appeal to all, expand through diffusion (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism)
    • Christianity: Monotheistic, Hearth in Eastern Mediterranean, spread through colonialism, shaped global landscapes
    • Islam: Monotheistic, Hearth in Eastern Mediterranean, diffused through conquest, trade, missionary work
    • Buddhism: Originated in South Asia, spread through trade routes, adapted elements of local cultures
    • Sikhism: Monotheistic, Hearth in Punjab, distinct appearance, limited diffusion
  • Ethnic Religions: Centered around specific cultural groups, limited diffusion (e.g., Hinduism, Judaism)
    • Hinduism: Oldest religion, predominantly in India, shaped cultural identity
    • Judaism: Abrahamic, linked to Jewish people, diffused through war and persecution

Language

  • Proto-Language: Earliest form of a language
  • Language Family: Group of languages with a common ancestor
  • Language Branch: Subdivision of a language family
  • Language Group: Languages within a branch sharing vocabulary and grammar
  • Dialects: Regional variances in language

Effects of Diffusion

  • Assimilation: Adoption of dominant culture, loss of original culture
  • Acculturation: Adoption of cultural traits, retaining original identity
  • Syncretism: Blending of cultures to form a new culture
  • Cultural Resistance: Opposition to diffusion, often due to religious or cultural barriers
  • Multiculturalism: Coexistence of diverse cultures within a society

Conclusion

  • Check study guide answers in the ultimate review packet
  • Practice quizzes and resources available to prepare for exams