"What is Culture"

Definition

Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, norms, customs, and practices of a group of people that shape their way of life. It encompasses everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts to how individuals perceive the world around them. Understanding culture is crucial when examining how it diffuses across different regions and populations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Culture is dynamic and constantly evolving as societies change and adapt over time.
2. There are various forms of cultural diffusion including relocation, expansion, and hierarchical diffusion that explain how cultural elements spread across different areas.
3. Globalization has intensified the diffusion of culture, leading to the blending of different cultural elements worldwide.
4. Cultural diffusion can lead to cultural assimilation or cultural hybridization, depending on how dominant and minority cultures interact.
5. Understanding cultural diffusion helps in addressing global issues like migration, urbanization, and social change.

Review Questions

• How does understanding the concept of culture enhance our comprehension of cultural diffusion?
  • Understanding culture is essential for grasping how cultural diffusion occurs because it highlights the unique traits and practices that are shared within groups. When we recognize what constitutes a culture, we can better analyze how these elements spread through various means such as migration or media. This understanding allows us to see not only how cultures influence each other but also how they retain their distinctiveness amidst such interactions.
• Discuss the different types of cultural diffusion and provide examples of each.
  • Cultural diffusion occurs in several ways: relocation diffusion happens when people move and bring their culture with them; expansion diffusion occurs when a cultural trait spreads outward from its origin; and hierarchical diffusion involves the spread of culture from larger to smaller entities or from influential figures to followers. For example, pizza originally from Italy became popular in America through relocation diffusion. An example of expansion diffusion can be seen with social media trends that spread rapidly across diverse populations.
• Evaluate the impact of globalization on local cultures and cultural diffusion processes.
  • Globalization has significantly impacted local cultures by accelerating the process of cultural diffusion and creating a more interconnected world. While this has led to the sharing of ideas and practices across borders, it often results in cultural homogenization where local customs may diminish under the influence of dominant global cultures. Conversely, globalization can also foster cultural hybridization where new forms emerge from the blending of diverse traditions. This duality shows that while globalization can threaten local identities, it also provides opportunities for new cultural expressions.

Related terms

Cultural Traits: The individual elements that make up a culture, including specific customs, practices, and artifacts that define a group's lifestyle.

Cultural Landscape:

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape, showcasing how culture shapes the physical environment.

Acculturation:

The process of cultural change that occurs when individuals or groups from one culture come into contact with another, resulting in changes to both cultures.