Folk Culture versus Popular Culture

Folk and Pop? Que?

Folk= limited to a smaller region and small number of people. Pop= diffused widely and rapidly; accessible to the MASSES.

Cultural practices that form the sights, smells, sounds, and rituals of everyday existence in the traditional societies in which they developed.

Usually: Rural Strong family ties Strong interpersonal relationships Cohesive group identity Subsistence economy Most goods are handmade Most individuals perform a variety of tasks versus specializing in one

Usually isolated groups. Long-lasting cultural traits. No substantial change over long periods.

Buildings built without blueprints but tend to follow a similar plan. use similar materials as those used by other members of the same cultural group. LOCAL DESIGN.

Tools Musical Instruments Clothing TANGIBLE.

Songs Stories Philosophies Belief Systems INTANGIBLE

Folk culture spreads through relocation diffusion.

Folk traits and customs can diffuse and become popular, become more uniform and consistent, and then become a part of POP CULTURE. EXAMPLES?

Dynamic culture. Based in large, heterogeneous societies permitting: Individualism Innovation Change

Money-based economy Division of labor into professions Secular institutions of control Weak interpersonal ties Producing and consuming machine-made goods.

Things that can be produced, transmitted, and accepted virtually anywhere on the earth’s surface. Music Food Entertainment Fashion Recreation Various forms of art

NAME SOME EXAMPLES OF POPULAR CULTURAL TRAITS THAT HAVE DIFFUSED AROUND THE WORLD.

Allows for rapid diffusion and acceptance of elements of pop culture. Has led to increased access and improved economic and educational opportunities.

Caused people to lose their traditional ways of life in favor of cheap entertainment and disposable goods.

Internet Efficient transportation tools Communication technology

The dominance of one culture over another. Politically Economically Socially Can create cultural conflict. Resentment Protests Attacks

Cultural sameness. When cultures become more similar. Pop cultural is threatening regional and cultural diversity. Makes people look, sound, act, and believe more of the same rather than in unique, local ways.

Adoption of a diffusing trait that is impractical for a region or culture. Pop culture does not always reflect its environment. Blue jeans in very hot weather?

Popular culture definitely impacts our environment. Many popular culture traits lead to increased consumption of resources= more waste. Popularization of car instead of riding the bus. Water bottles in landfills. TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH.

KNOW POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF FOLK CULTURE AND POP CULTURE! This would make a great FRQ question.