Culture

Culture Def. - Beliefs or actions that define a group of people’s way of life.

1 Cultural Change Cultures are changed by both internal and external influences. Many cultural changes result from the invention of new items or new ways of doing things. Cultural convergence occurs when the skills, arts, ideas, habits, and institutions of one culture come into contact with those of another culture. Diffusion is the process by which a cultural element is transmitted from one group to another. Cultural divergence, or restriction from outside influences, occurs when cultural contact is limited.

1 Cultural Change

Cultural Hearth Def. – a place where important ideas begin and from which they spread to surrounding cultures. - Usually refers to areas in ancient times where major traits of human culture first developed. Examples: Southwest Asia – People first tamed and herded animals and grew crops from wild grasses.

Language Families Def. -a group of languages related by descent from a common ancestor. Examples – The English language is a part of the Germanic language family. Modern day German, East, and West Scandinavian languages are part of this language family.

Cultural Diffusion Def. – process by which a cultural element is transmitted and integrated from one group or individual to another. Examples: McDonalds in China, The spread of Christianity, Islam, Etc. Mexican food popularity in America, U.S. music gaining popularity around the world.

How Cultures Diffuse Immigration – People who move into a country or area from another country or area. Emigrants- People who leave a country or area to live in other places. Are the two most common ways of cultural diffusion. Technology is rapidly exposing people to other cultures around the world.

Settlement Patterns Urbanization – The growth of city populations. The worlds urban centers are becoming modern cultural hearths. Example – New York City is 36% foreign with over 170 languages spoken. Rural – Countryside populations. Culture spreads through settlement patterns.

Cultural Trait Things that make you unique to other cultures. Something that defines your culture from other cultures. Examples – Holidays, Food, Music, Clothing, Technology, Traditions, Religion, Entertainment, Architecture

Cultural Icon "A very famous person or thing considered as representing a set of beliefs or a way of life." Examples: Tupac = Hip Hop/Rap, Hitler = Infamy/Evil, Michael Jordan = Basketball,