1. Chapter 4: Folk and Popular Culture Summary

2. Chapter 4 Key Points Folk cultures are spread primarily by:
Relocation diffusion
Mass communications
Thermal transfer
Word of mouth
Rapid diffusion of popular culture encourages people in different places to
Shy away from foreign ways
adopt different customs
Rush to department stores
Makes them appreciate their own customs

3. Chapter 4 Key Points
In contrast to popular culture, folk cultures are more likely to
Adopt to similar customs
Resent modern technological advances
Vary from place to place at a given time
Vary from time to time at a given place
folk songs are distinguished from popular songs because they
Are folksy, country songs
Are written by specialist for commercial distribution
Tell a story about daily activities
Are only transmitted orally

4. Chapter 4 Key Points Popular customs most frequently originate in
More developed countries
Less developed countries
Former communist countries
Equally likely in all the above
China produces relatively large amounts of swine compared to Middle Eastern countries primarily because
China has more people than the countries of Southwest Asia
Rice is the main cereal grain grown in China
China’s physical environment is suitable for pig production
Moslems have a taboo against pork consumption

5. Chapter 4 Key Points
Size of buildings is not an important factor in distinguishing different folk housing types in the United States.
True
False
Many less developed countries fear the loss of culture because
Western perspectives may become more dominant
It is difficult to resurrect lost culture
Fear of the unknown
Fear of lost revenue from increased sales

6. Chapter 4 Key Points
Diffusion of popular customs can adversely impact environmental quality in two ways:
Reducing demand for foreign products and promoting local crafts
Using renewable materials and recycled designs
Diversity of products and slow change
Depletion of scarce resources and pollution
People maintain their folk culture despite familiarity with popular culture primarily because of
Strong desire to preserve unique customs
Lack of exposure to the media
Fear of foreign influence
The high cost of popular customs

7. Chapter 4 Key Points
In recent years, changing technology—especially the diffusion of small satellite dishes—has
Forced countries to adapt to new technologies
Made it harder for poor countries to regulate their use
made television a force for political change rather than stability
Made them more scarce in more developed countries
The collapse of Communist governments in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s was hastened by
The diffusion of small satellite dishes
Illegal smuggling of jeans and other Western articles
Radio broadcasts from Armed Forces Radio Network
Open protests by angry citizens promoting change

8. Chapter 4 Key Points
People in a country with a more developed economy are likely to have
The income, time, and inclination to facilitate greater adoption of popular culture
More sense to deviate from activities that are unfulfilling
Reluctance in adopting popular culture due to leeriness of things new
A greater need for the newest gadgets on the market