CULTURAL CHANGE and GLOBALIZATION:

Cultures are always changing. Because cultures consist of learned patterns of behavior and belief, cultural traits can be unlearned and learned anew as human needs change. Cultures are always changing. Because cultures consist of learned patterns of behavior and belief, cultural traits can be unlearned and learned anew as human needs change.

Discovery and invention have been primary sources of culture change. Yet only when a society accepts an invention or discovery and uses it regularly can culture change be said to have occurred. Discovery and invention have been primary sources of culture change. Yet only when a society accepts an invention or discovery and uses it regularly can culture change be said to have occurred.

Some inventions are probably the result of dozens of tiny, perhaps accidental, initiatives over a period of many years. Some inventions are probably the result of dozens of tiny, perhaps accidental, initiatives over a period of many years.

Other inventions are consciously intended. Yet why some people are more innovative than others is not really understood. A margin for risk? Or nothing else to lose? Other inventions are consciously intended. Yet why some people are more innovative than others is not really understood. A margin for risk? Or nothing else to lose?

Diffusion is the process by which cultural elements are borrowed from another society and incorporated into the culture of the recipient group. Diffusion is the process by which cultural elements are borrowed from another society and incorporated into the culture of the recipient group.

There are three basic patterns of diffusion. There are three basic patterns of diffusion.

diffusion by direct contact in which elements of a culture are first taken up by neighboring societies and then gradually spread farther and farther afield diffusion by direct contact in which elements of a culture are first taken up by neighboring societies and then gradually spread farther and farther afield

diffusion by intermediate contact, in which third parties, frequently traders, carry a cultural trait from the originating society to another group diffusion by intermediate contact, in which third parties, frequently traders, carry a cultural trait from the originating society to another group

stimulus diffusion in which knowledge of a trait belonging to another culture stimulates the invention or development of a local equivalent stimulus diffusion in which knowledge of a trait belonging to another culture stimulates the invention or development of a local equivalent

Diffusion is a selective not automatic process. A society accepting a foreign cultural trait is likely to adapt it in a way that effectively harmonizes it with the society’s own traditions. Diffusion is a selective not automatic process. A society accepting a foreign cultural trait is likely to adapt it in a way that effectively harmonizes it with the society’s own traditions.

When a group or a society is in contact with a more powerful society, the weaker group is often obligated to acquire cultural elements from the dominant group. When a group or a society is in contact with a more powerful society, the weaker group is often obligated to acquire cultural elements from the dominant group.

Acculturation is a process of extensive borrowing in the context of superordinate—subordinate relations between societies. Acculturation is a process of extensive borrowing in the context of superordinate—subordinate relations between societies.

Acculturation in contrast to diffusion comes about as a result of some sort of external pressure. Acculturation in contrast to diffusion comes about as a result of some sort of external pressure.

Revolution is the most dramatic and perhaps rapid way a culture can change. Revolution is the most dramatic and perhaps rapid way a culture can change.

Usually revolutions indicate a violent replacement of a society’s rulers. Usually revolutions indicate a violent replacement of a society’s rulers.

Rebellions occur customarily in state societies where there is a ruling elite. Rebellions occur customarily in state societies where there is a ruling elite.

Not all peoples who are suppressed, conquered or colonized eventually rebel or successfully revolt against established authority. Not all peoples who are suppressed, conquered or colonized eventually rebel or successfully revolt against established authority.

Many cultural changes in the modern world have been generated, directly or indirectly, by the dominance and expansion of Western societies. Many cultural changes in the modern world have been generated, directly or indirectly, by the dominance and expansion of Western societies.

Commercial exchange is a fundamental change for many cultures that have had other modes of exchange or kinds of economies. Commercial exchange is a fundamental change for many cultures that have had other modes of exchange or kinds of economies.

Some examples: Some examples: 1. increased migration for economic necessity or better opportunties 1. increased migration for economic necessity or better opportunties 2. self-sufficient economies change to trade or cash cropping 2. self-sufficient economies change to trade or cash cropping

The growing influence of Western societies has also led to religious change in many parts of the world. The growing influence of Western societies has also led to religious change in many parts of the world.

In many societies such change has been brought about intentionally through the efforts of missionaries. In many societies such change has been brought about intentionally through the efforts of missionaries.

Ethnogenesis is the process by which new cultures are created. Ethnogenesis is the process by which new cultures are created.

Globalization is the spread of cultural features around the world. Globalization is the spread of cultural features around the world.

Globalization is minimizing cultural diversity but not eliminating it. Globalization is minimizing cultural diversity but not eliminating it.