Chapter 4 Cultures of the World

I. Culture and its elements What is Culture? I. Culture and its elements A. Culture – the way of life of people who share similar customs and beliefs

1. Some elements are material – living arrangements, food, clothing What is Culture? 1. Some elements are material – living arrangements, food, clothing

What is Culture? 2. Some elements are not material – spiritual beliefs, government, ideas about right and wrong

What is Culture B. Cultural trait – behavioral characteristic of people such as language, skill or custom passed from one generation to another

What is Culture? II. Study of culture A. Human – environment interaction – how activities relate to the environment

1. How landforms, climate, vegetation, and resources affect culture What is Culture? 1. How landforms, climate, vegetation, and resources affect culture

2. Effect people have on their environment What is Culture? 2. Effect people have on their environment A. Technology – tools and the skills people need to use them – from stone tools to the internet

What is Culture? B. Cultural landscape – a landscape that has been changed by human beings and that reflects their culture – Bali and terraces for farmland

C. Development of culture – 4 stages 1. invention of tools What is Culture? C. Development of culture – 4 stages 1. invention of tools 2. discovery of fire

3. Growth of agriculture or farming What is Culture? 3. Growth of agriculture or farming A. Agricultural Revolution

B. Steady food supply – rising populations What is Culture? B. Steady food supply – rising populations C. Creation of cities and societies

What is Culture? 4. Development of system of writing – Creation of civilization that stores and passes on knowledge

Social Groups, Language, and Religion I. Organization of society - A. Social Structure- ways in which people within a culture are organized into smaller groups, each group has its own particular task.

Social Groups, Language, and Religion - B. Families- most important social unit of any culture 1. Nuclear family- a family unit that includes a mother, father, and their children. Ex: Industrial Nations such as USA, Germany, and Great Britain. 2. Extended Family- a family unit that may include parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives

Social Groups, Language, and Religion 3. Patriarchal family- family in which men make most of the family decisions. 4. Matriarchal family- family in which women make most of the family decisions.

Social Groups, Language, and Religion - C. Social Classes- rank people within a culture 1. Status or position may come from wealth, land, ancestors, or education 2. In the past- difficult to move from class to class 3. Today people in many societies can improve their status

Social Groups, Language, and Religion II. Language A. Basis of every culture B. Lets people communicate what they need to share in culture.

Social Groups, Language, and Religion C. Reflects the things that people in a culture think are important D. All cultures have their own unique terms E. In some countries, people speak different languages

Social Groups, Language, and Religion III. Ways of Believing (Religion) A. Values and religion are basic to culture B. Help people understand the world C. Provide comfort and hope in difficult times

Social Groups, Language, and Religion D. Answers questions about the meaning and purpose of life E. Defines the values that people think are important F. Guides people in ethics or standards of accepted behavior

Economic and Political Systems Goods – Products that are made to be sold; cars, baskets, and computers are all examples of goods

Economic and Political Systems Services – work done or duties performed for other people, such as the work of a doctor or of a television repair person

Economic and Political Systems Consumer – a person who buys goods and services

Economic and Political Systems Producer – a person who makes products that are used by other people

Economic and Political Systems Economy – a system for producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods, services and wealth

Economic and Political Systems Capitalism – an economic system which people and privately owned companies own both basic and non-basic businesses and industries

Economic and Political Systems Socialism – the government owns most basic industries. It runs for the good of society, not profit

Economic and Political Systems Communism – the government owns all basic and non – basic industries

Economic and Political Systems Government – the system that establishes and enforces the laws and institutions of a society

Economic and Political Systems Direct Democracy – a system of government in which the people participate directly in decision making

Economic and Political Systems Representative Democracy – a system of government in which the people elect representatives to run the affairs of the country

Economic and Political Systems Monarchy – a system of authoritarian government headed by a monarch – usually a king or a queen – who inherits the throne by birth

Economic and Political Systems Dictator – a ruler who has complete control over a country

Economic and Political Systems Constitution – a set of laws that defines and limits a government’s power