Summary of "AP Human Geography: Cultural Patterns & Processes"

Main Ideas and Concepts:

Cultural Traits and Hearth:
- Cultural traits are individual aspects of culture.
- A "hearth" refers to the origin of cultural elements like ideas, languages, or religions, likened to a fireplace where families gather.
Cultural Perspectives:
- Cultural Relativism: Understanding beliefs and practices based on one's own culture without judgment.
- Ethnocentrism: Viewing other cultures through the biased lens of one’s own culture, often leading to the belief that one's culture is superior.
Habits vs. Customs:
- Habit: A repetitive act by an individual.
- Custom: A repetitive act by a group that becomes part of their culture.
Material vs. Non-Material Culture:
- Material Culture: Tangible items like clothing, food, and housing.
- Non-Material Culture: Intangible aspects like beliefs, ideas, and language.
Pop Culture vs. Folk Culture:
- Pop Culture: Large, heterogeneous, and often originates from a specific time and place.
- Folk Culture: Small, homogeneous, and often anonymous in origin.
Forces that Shape Cultural Patterns:
- Centripetal Forces: Unifying forces that bring people together (e.g., shared religion or language).
- Centrifugal Forces: Divisive forces that create conflict (e.g., persecution).
Diffusion of Culture:
- Types of Diffusion:
  - Expansion Diffusion: Spreads on its own, can be broken down into:
    - Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread through an established structure (e.g., trends from major cities).
    - Contagious Diffusion: Spreads equally among individuals regardless of status (e.g., viral trends).
    - Stimulus Diffusion: An idea spreads but is modified (e.g., adaptations of a product in different cultures).
  - Relocation Diffusion: Occurs when people move and bring their cultural traits with them.

Methodology/Instructions:

To understand cultural diffusion, remember the following:

Expansion Diffusion includes hierarchical, contagious, and stimulus diffusion.
Relocation Diffusion involves the movement of people taking cultural traits with them.
Use mnemonic devices to remember terms:
- "P for Peace" (centripetal forces) and "F for Fight" (centrifugal forces).
- Hierarchical diffusion involves "people of power," while contagious diffusion spreads "equally."