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AP Human Geography
Unit 3 Overview: Cultural Patterns & Processes
3.1 Introduction to Culture
3.2 Cultural Landscapes
3.3 Cultural Patterns
3.4 Types of Cultural Diffusion
3.5 Historical Causes of Cultural Diffusion
3.6 Contemporary Causes of Cultural Diffusion
3.7 Diffusion of Religion and Language
3.8 Effects of Cultural Diffusion

🚜ap human geography review

3.3 Cultural Patterns

Verified for the 2025 AP Human Geography exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024

Sense of Place

Sense of place is the perception based on our emotional connection and association with a certain place). 

Placelessness is the similarity of places of popular culture everywhere and the loss of a place’s unique identity due to the influence of popular culture and globalization. 

Popular culture promotes uniformity in the landscape, lack of traditional value, or cultural uniqueness due to the widespread popularity of specific ideas, places, etc. For instance, chain-fast food restaurants are located within close proximity to each other. Skyscrapers diffuse signifying modern, urban, city landscapes. 

Having a sense of place greatly impacts an individual's sense of identity, well-being, and connection to their community. An individual with a strong sense of place generally has a greater sense of belonging and attachment to their community. This can lead to increased feelings of security and happiness. Values, beliefs, and behaviors are also affected by a sense of place. 

Having a minuscule sense of place, or placelessness can lead to feelings of isolation, disconnection, and rootlessness.

Sense of place can change depending on the person, and it can also change depending on where a person is at in their lives, things they experience, connections they form, and places they visit. 

Environmental Determinism

Environmental determinism was theorized by Ellsworth Huntington who stated that the physical environment controls/determines behavior among humans. This theory has a few implications such as that it does not consider that the main location of cultural hearths is in lower latitude regions and citizens in tropical civilizations have established advanced societies which counter this interpretation. 

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This idea can lead to harmful stereotypes and discrimination because it implies that certain groups of people are inherently inferior due to where they are located or their climate. The theory can also be used to justify exploitative practices such as colonization and resource extraction. Environmental determinism can also lead to the neglect of social, economic, and political factors that largely shape society and development.

Possibilism states that the physical environment establishes limitations on the possibilities of populations. This theory is more accepted than environmental determinism yet does not explain how we have flourished beyond our environment to progress, innovate, and evolve technologically. 

Cultural Determinism

Cultural determinism states that the environment does not play a role in determining human behaviors or placing restrictions but rather humans place their own cultural restrictions. A culture region is a portion of the earth's surface with inhabitant populations sharing distinctive cultural characteristics. 

image courtesy of google images

Differences among cultural groups are greater than differences among individuals of a certain cultural group. Environment forms culture. 

Western cultures and more developed countries (MDCs) are dominant in their popular cultural trends including the US, U.K, and Japan in regards to television broadcasting, social media, music, industry, fashion, etc. LDCs (less developed countries). 

Indigenous languages such as Basque, Welsh, Quechua, etc struggle to be maintained however increased nationalism, tourism, and governmental policies allow minority languages to be kept despite the rise of globalization (in some circumstances). There are also extinct languages due to globalization including Latin. Additionally, endangered languages like Yiddish. 

In order to support the growth of popular cultures, resources must be acquired to supply the demand which leads to pollution, environmental degradation, use of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels which place harm on the future as well in terms of global warming, greed amongst big businesses and corporations, destruction of traditional historic landscapes, etc. 

🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Cultural Landscapes

Key Terms to Review (21)

Basque Language: The Basque language, known as Euskara, is a unique language spoken by the Basque people in the Basque Country, which spans parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. It is considered a language isolate, meaning it has no known linguistic relatives and is distinct from the surrounding Romance languages. This uniqueness highlights the cultural identity of the Basque people and their long-standing history in the region.
Culture Region: A culture region is an area where a specific culture or cultural traits are prevalent, often shaped by shared beliefs, practices, languages, and traditions. These regions can vary in size and can be influenced by factors like geography, history, and politics, leading to distinct cultural landscapes that help to identify and analyze human behaviors and societal patterns.
Cultural Determinism: Cultural Determinism is the belief that human culture, including language, customs, and social structures, shapes and determines human behavior and societal development. This perspective suggests that the environment is influenced more by cultural factors rather than biological or physical conditions, emphasizing the power of culture in shaping how people perceive and interact with the world around them.
Ellsworth Huntington: Ellsworth Huntington was an American geographer and climate scientist known for his controversial theories connecting climate to human activities and cultural patterns. He argued that climate played a crucial role in shaping civilization, suggesting that certain climatic conditions fostered the development of complex societies while others hindered it, linking environmental factors directly to cultural outcomes.
Endangered Languages: Endangered languages are those that are at risk of falling out of use, typically because they have few speakers remaining. The extinction of a language can have significant impacts on cultural identity and heritage, as languages carry unique ways of thinking and expression. When a language disappears, so too does the cultural knowledge and traditions associated with it, highlighting the importance of language preservation in maintaining cultural diversity.
Environmental Determinism: Environmental Determinism is the theory that human behaviors, cultures, and societal developments are shaped and constrained by the physical environment. This concept suggests that environmental factors, like climate and geography, significantly influence the way societies evolve, impacting everything from agriculture to urban development.
Extinct Languages: Extinct languages are languages that no longer have any speakers or native users. This phenomenon often occurs due to cultural assimilation, colonization, or social and political changes that lead to a decline in the language's use. The extinction of a language can signify a loss of cultural identity and knowledge, impacting the heritage and traditions of the community that once spoke it.
Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are natural resources formed from the decomposed remains of ancient plants and animals, buried under layers of sediment and rock for millions of years. They include coal, oil, and natural gas, which are primarily used for energy production and transportation. The extraction and use of fossil fuels have significant implications for human environmental interaction, affecting air quality, climate change, and resource management.
Globalization: Globalization refers to the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, economies, cultures, and populations through trade, communication, and technology. This phenomenon has transformed cultural patterns, political governance, and economic systems worldwide.
Indigenous Languages: Indigenous languages are the native languages spoken by the original inhabitants of a particular region or country, often reflecting their cultural identity and history. These languages are crucial in understanding cultural patterns, as they embody unique worldviews and ways of life. Additionally, they face contemporary challenges due to globalization and cultural diffusion, which can lead to language endangerment or extinction.
Latin Language: Latin is an ancient Italic language originally spoken by the inhabitants of Latium and Ancient Rome. It serves as the precursor to the Romance languages and has significantly influenced many modern languages and scientific terminology, showcasing its role in cultural patterns and historical diffusion of language.
Less Developed Countries (LDCs): Less Developed Countries (LDCs) are nations that exhibit lower levels of industrialization, lower incomes, and higher poverty rates compared to more developed countries. These countries often struggle with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to education, and health care challenges, which can hinder cultural development and agricultural productivity.
More Developed Countries (MDCs): More Developed Countries (MDCs) refer to nations with advanced economies, high standards of living, and well-established infrastructure. These countries typically exhibit high levels of education, healthcare, and technology, which contribute to their overall economic prosperity. MDCs often engage in complex industries and services, leading to diverse cultural patterns that influence global interactions and trends.
Nonrenewable Resources: Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished within a human timescale once they are consumed. These resources, such as fossil fuels and certain minerals, play a significant role in shaping cultural patterns and influencing sustainable development efforts worldwide. Their finite nature raises concerns regarding long-term economic stability, environmental sustainability, and energy security as societies seek alternatives and develop strategies for resource management.
Placelessness: Placelessness refers to the loss of unique character in a place due to the homogenization of cultural landscapes, often resulting from globalization and the spread of uniform architectural styles, branding, and consumer culture. This phenomenon can lead to environments that feel generic and indistinguishable from one another, diminishing local identity and sense of belonging.
Popular Culture: Popular culture refers to the set of ideas, practices, beliefs, and objects that are prevalent and widely accepted within mainstream society at a given time. It includes trends in music, fashion, entertainment, and social media, reflecting the tastes and preferences of the general population. Popular culture is dynamic, constantly evolving as it interacts with various cultural patterns, historical contexts, and contemporary influences.
Possibilism: Possibilism is a geographical theory that suggests the environment offers various possibilities for human activities, but human choices ultimately determine how these opportunities are utilized. This concept emphasizes the role of culture, technology, and individual decisions in shaping human landscapes, highlighting that while environmental factors set certain limits, they do not completely dictate outcomes.
Quechua Language: Quechua is an indigenous language family spoken primarily in the Andes region of South America, particularly in countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. It has a rich cultural history, being the language of the Inca Empire and still holding significant relevance for millions of speakers today, reflecting the cultural patterns and identity of its communities.
Sense of Place: Sense of Place refers to the emotional and subjective attachment people have to specific locations, shaped by their experiences, memories, and cultural backgrounds. This concept highlights how unique characteristics, social interactions, and environmental elements contribute to an individual's or community's identity and feelings toward a place, influencing cultural patterns and the sustainability of urban environments.
Welsh Language: The Welsh language is a Celtic language native to Wales, with roots tracing back to the 6th century. It is one of the oldest languages in Europe still spoken today and represents a key aspect of Welsh cultural identity and heritage, influencing both cultural patterns and social dynamics in Wales.
Yiddish Language: Yiddish is a High German-derived language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, blending elements of German, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic languages. It reflects the cultural and social history of Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe, showcasing how language can be a marker of identity and cultural patterns within a society.
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3.4 Types of Cultural Diffusion