Definition of Culture Culture is a group’s way of life, including the shared set of meanings and symbolic practices, transmitted between generations. Culture can be seen as “learned behavior.”

Culture Traits …are single elements of normal practice in culture. …include beliefs, institutions, language, and technology.

Culture trait examples Silence Private space Touching Hand gestures Eye contact Greetings Perceptions of time Gift giving

A culture complex …is an interrelated web of culture traits that are characteristic of a group. Masai cows Navajo Corn Maiden

A Culture Region …is an area that shares common culture traits--an area within which a culture complex prevails.

A Culture Realm… …is a group of culture regions that share a common culture system.

Cultural landscape refers to the distinct imprint of a culture on the land.

The geographic perspective--cultural geography is concerned with… …how place affects culture. …how culture affects place. …the distributions of culture groups and reasons for those distributions.

Human Interaction with the Environment Cultural ecology…the study of the relationship between a culture and its environment. High Island (Maori) Low Island

Human Interaction with the Environment Cultural landscape…is the imprint of a culture on the earth’s surface.

Human Interaction with the Environment Environmental determinism is the belief that the physical environment (especially climate) is the major factor influencing culture.

Human Interaction with the Environment Possibilism is the belief that people and not the environment shape culture. Lagos, Nigeria

Are there environmental limitations to culture? Some locations are “luckier” than others--mild climate, fresh water, fertile soil, resources.

A culture hearth is a region where cultural traits such as religion and agriculture develop.

The structure (framework) of culture Artifacts are the material aspects of culture. Cooking utensils (in India) Voting machines A judge’s gavel Sociofacts are the social behaviors of a culture. Dietary restrictions of a culture (Many are vegetarian.) The political process The court system Mentifacts are the ideas, values, beliefs of a culture. Religious beliefs. (Cows are sacred.) Ideas about democracy Ideas about justice

Culture Change Innovation refers to the use of existing technology to create something new.

Culture Change Cultural diffusion is the process of spreading an idea or an innovation from one area to another

Culture Change Acculturation occurs when a society changes as it comes into contact with a dominant culture.

Culture Change Transculturation occurs when two strong cultures come together and create a blended culture--neither one dominates.

Acceleration of diffusion Travel is faster Communication is instananeous.

Barriers to diffusion… Distance Physical environment Lack of acceptance or resistance to change.

Are we creating a global culture?