1. Chapter 4, Section 1
Elements of Culture

2. Elements of Culture 4.1
Culture is the total of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group
(food and shelter, religion, family relationships, language, education, security/protection, political and social organization, creative expression)
A group that shares a geographic region, a sense of identity and a culture is called a society
A group within that society that has a separate identity is called an ethnic group

3. Cultures and societies are always in the process of change
Creating something new to meet a need is innovation
Can happen on purpose or by accident
The spread of these innovations is called diffusion
A cultural hearth is a site of basic ideas, materials, and technology diffused into many cultures
Indus
Huang He
Nile River
Mesopotamia

4. Exposure to an innovation does not guarantee that a society will accept it.
Acculturation occurs when a society changes because it accepts or adopts an innovation

5. Language is one of the most important elements of culture
It reflects all aspects of culture
Language helps to establish a cultural identity
It builds group identity and sense of unity
An estimated 3,000 to 6,500 languages are spoken around the world
Versions of a language are called dialects
Language diffusion
May follow trade routes, be invented or move with people through migration

6. Religion has a great influence on people’s lives
Religion consist of a belief in a supernatural power or powers regarded as creators and maintainers of the universe.
A religion establishes beliefs and values that define how people worship and behave towards each other
Monotheistic-a belief in one god
Polytheistic-belief in many gods
Animistic, or traditional-belief in divine forces of nature
Religion may spread through diffusion and through converts
Christianity, Islam and Buddhism actively seek to convert people to their beliefs; others such as Judaism and Hinduism do not
Pockets of traditional belief systems are found on each continent

7. Three major religions began in Southwest Asia
Judaism
Established over 3,200 years ago in what is today Israel
An ethnic religion with faith and culture tied together
Basic laws an teachings are in holy book, the Torah
The religious center is Jerusalem
Christianity
Evolved around 2,000 years ago
Based on the teaching of Jesus, whom they believe was the son of God
Teachings are found in the New Testament
Spread from the Holy Land first through Paul the Apostle, then many missionaries
Largest of all religions
Three main groups: Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox
Islam
Based on the teachings of Muhammad, who began teaching in 630 A.D.
Followers are known as Muslims
Holy Book is called the Qur’an
Five Pillars of Islam (Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, Pilgrimage)
Two major sects: Sunni and Shi’a
Spread across North Africa and into South and Central Asia to Indonesia

8. Two great religions grew in South Asia
Hinduism
Dates back 5,000 years
Considered by many to be polytheistic
Caste system
Reincarnation
Holy writing is the Vedas
Buddhism
Offshoot of Hinduism
Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha or enlightened one)
Rejected the idea of caste
Promoted a way of living that would result in an enlightened state know as nirvana

9. Other Asian belief systems
Confucianism
Taoism
Shinto

10. All cultures have ways of expressing themselves artistically
Reflect environment and culture
Cultures produce performing arts, visual arts and literature