APHG Unit 3 Culture pt. 1

Generally, culture is the shared experience, traits, and activities of a group of people with a common heritage.

We traditionally use language, religion, and ethnicity to indicate culture, but there are many traits that can make up "culture."

Some things are original to particular cultures, others however are part of blending between cultures as a result of continuous contact.

Synthesis is when cultures blend, syncretism is when cultures combine.

Popular Culture occurs in large, heterogeneous groups across a large area.

Folk culture occurs in small, homogenous groups in a small area.

The signs and symbols that signify, or reflect the culture of an area.

Those individual signs and symbols are called "traits."

We call places where cultural traits develop "hearths."

Diffusion

Assimilation: joining and participating in the dominant culture.

Acculturation: blending personal culture with the dominant culture.