AP Human Geography Flashcards: Introduction To Culture

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Introduction To Culture, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Human Geography.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is culture in the context of human geography?

Answer: Culture is the shared practices, technologies, attitudes, and behaviors of a society. Encompasses all learned behaviors and beliefs passed down through generations.

Flashcard 2: What is a dialect?

Answer: A dialect is a regional variation of a language distinguished by vocabulary and pronunciation. Local variations often reflect geographic isolation and cultural differences.

Flashcard 3: What is relocation diffusion?

Answer: Relocation diffusion occurs when people move and bring cultural traits with them. Physical movement of people spreads their cultural practices to new locations.

Flashcard 4: Define cultural convergence.

Answer: Cultural convergence is the tendency for cultures to become more alike. Globalization often drives cultures to adopt similar practices worldwide.

Flashcard 5: Identify an example of material culture.

Answer: Architecture, clothing, or technology. These are physical objects created and used by human societies.

Flashcard 6: Define stimulus diffusion.

Answer: Stimulus diffusion is when a cultural trend spreads but is changed by adopters. The core idea spreads but gets modified to fit local conditions.

Flashcard 7: What is ethnocentrism?

Answer: Ethnocentrism is evaluating other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture. Can lead to cultural bias and prejudice against other societies.

Flashcard 8: What is a cultural norm?

Answer: A cultural norm is a rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable. Unwritten rules that govern social behavior and expectations.

Flashcard 9: What is cultural identity?

Answer: Cultural identity is the feeling of belonging to a group or culture. Shaped by shared language, traditions, and collective experiences.

Flashcard 10: Identify an example of non-material culture.

Answer: Religious beliefs or language. These are abstract ideas that shape how people think and behave.

Flashcard 11: What is cultural appropriation?

Answer: Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by another culture. Often controversial when done without permission or understanding of significance.

Flashcard 12: What is cultural identity?

Answer: Cultural identity is the feeling of belonging to a group or culture. Shaped by shared language, traditions, and collective experiences.

Flashcard 13: Define universalizing religions.

Answer: Universalizing religions aim to be global, appealing to all people wherever they live. Actively seek converts regardless of cultural or geographic background.

Flashcard 14: What is assimilation?

Answer: Assimilation is when a group's cultural features are altered to resemble another group. Complete cultural transformation where original traits are largely abandoned.

Flashcard 15: Identify an example of non-material culture.

Answer: Religious beliefs or language. These are abstract ideas that shape how people think and behave.

Flashcard 16: What is the impact of globalization on culture?

Answer: Globalization can lead to the spread and homogenization of cultures. Increases cultural exchange but may reduce cultural diversity.

Flashcard 17: What is material culture?

Answer: Material culture includes physical objects, resources, and spaces people use. Tangible items that can be touched and seen in society.

Flashcard 18: What is assimilation?

Answer: Assimilation is when a group's cultural features are altered to resemble another group. Complete cultural transformation where original traits are largely abandoned.

Flashcard 19: What is linguistic diversity?

Answer: Linguistic diversity refers to the range of different languages spoken in an area. Measures the variety of languages present in a geographic region.

Flashcard 20: What is a taboo?

Answer: A taboo is a restriction on behavior imposed by social custom. Violations often result in social disapproval or punishment.

Flashcard 21: What is cultural lag?

Answer: Cultural lag occurs when non-material culture struggles to adapt to new material conditions. Technology often advances faster than social acceptance and adaptation.

Flashcard 22: Define hierarchical diffusion.

Answer: Hierarchical diffusion spreads ideas from authority or power to others. Ideas flow from leaders, celebrities, or influential figures downward.

Flashcard 23: Identify the two main types of culture.

Answer: Material culture and non-material culture. Distinguishes between tangible objects and intangible ideas/beliefs.

Flashcard 24: What is secularism?

Answer: Secularism is the principle of separating religion from civic affairs. Promotes religious neutrality in government and public institutions.

Flashcard 25: Define globalization in cultural terms.

Answer: Globalization is the process of increased interconnectedness among countries. Creates worldwide networks that spread cultural practices rapidly.

Flashcard 26: What is the impact of globalization on culture?

Answer: Globalization can lead to the spread and homogenization of cultures. Increases cultural exchange but may reduce cultural diversity.

Flashcard 27: Identify a characteristic of ethnic religions.

Answer: Ethnic religions are often closely tied to a specific location or ethnic group. These religions typically concentrate in specific geographic regions.

Flashcard 28: Define non-material culture.

Answer: Non-material culture includes ideas, beliefs, values, and norms. Abstract concepts that guide behavior but cannot be physically touched.

Flashcard 29: What is popular culture?

Answer: Popular culture is found in large, heterogeneous societies, sharing certain habits. Spread through mass media and appeals to diverse, widespread populations.

Flashcard 30: What is linguistic diversity?

Answer: Linguistic diversity refers to the range of different languages spoken in an area. Measures the variety of languages present in a geographic region.

Flashcard 31: What is cultural divergence?

Answer: Cultural divergence is when cultures become different over time. Isolation or resistance causes cultures to develop distinct characteristics.

Flashcard 32: What is contagious diffusion?

Answer: Contagious diffusion is the rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic. Spreads quickly through direct contact, like a disease or viral trend.

Flashcard 33: Define cultural relativism.

Answer: Cultural relativism is the practice of evaluating a culture by its own standards. Promotes understanding by avoiding judgment based on external standards.

Flashcard 34: What is culture in the context of human geography?

Answer: Culture is the shared practices, technologies, attitudes, and behaviors of a society. Encompasses all learned behaviors and beliefs passed down through generations.

Flashcard 35: What is a cultural trait?

Answer: A cultural trait is a single element of normal practice in a culture. Basic building blocks that combine to form larger cultural complexes.

Flashcard 36: Identify a major language family.

Answer: Indo-European. Includes English, Spanish, Hindi, and many other related languages.

Flashcard 37: Define folk culture.

Answer: Folk culture is traditionally practiced by small, homogeneous, rural groups. Passed down through generations in small, isolated communities.

Flashcard 38: What is cultural divergence?

Answer: Cultural divergence is when cultures become different over time. Isolation or resistance causes cultures to develop distinct characteristics.

Flashcard 39: Define folk culture.

Answer: Folk culture is traditionally practiced by small, homogeneous, rural groups. Passed down through generations in small, isolated communities.

Flashcard 40: What is the role of language in culture?

Answer: Language is a key component of cultural identity and transmission. Essential for preserving and passing cultural knowledge between generations.

Flashcard 41: What is a cultural norm?

Answer: A cultural norm is a rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable. Unwritten rules that govern social behavior and expectations.

Flashcard 42: Define syncretism.

Answer: Syncretism is the blending of different cultural or religious traditions. Creates new hybrid practices from combining different cultural elements.

Flashcard 43: Identify a major language family.

Answer: Indo-European. Includes English, Spanish, Hindi, and many other related languages.

Flashcard 44: What is cultural appropriation?

Answer: Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by another culture. Often controversial when done without permission or understanding of significance.

Flashcard 45: Define non-material culture.

Answer: Non-material culture includes ideas, beliefs, values, and norms. Abstract concepts that guide behavior but cannot be physically touched.

Flashcard 46: What is cultural lag?

Answer: Cultural lag occurs when non-material culture struggles to adapt to new material conditions. Technology often advances faster than social acceptance and adaptation.

Flashcard 47: What is a cultural hearth?

Answer: A cultural hearth is a center where cultures developed and from which ideas spread. Origin points where major cultural innovations first emerged and diffused.

Flashcard 48: Define globalization in cultural terms.

Answer: Globalization is the process of increased interconnectedness among countries. Creates worldwide networks that spread cultural practices rapidly.

Flashcard 49: What is acculturation?

Answer: Acculturation is the adoption of cultural traits by one group under influence of another. Cultural contact leads to borrowing traits while maintaining original identity.

Flashcard 50: Name a type of cultural diffusion.

Answer: Relocation diffusion. One of several ways cultural traits spread across space and time.

Flashcard 51: Define hierarchical diffusion.

Answer: Hierarchical diffusion spreads ideas from authority or power to others. Ideas flow from leaders, celebrities, or influential figures downward.

Flashcard 52: Define syncretism.

Answer: Syncretism is the blending of different cultural or religious traditions. Creates new hybrid practices from combining different cultural elements.

Flashcard 53: What is contagious diffusion?

Answer: Contagious diffusion is the rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic. Spreads quickly through direct contact, like a disease or viral trend.

Flashcard 54: Identify an example of material culture.

Answer: Architecture, clothing, or technology. These are physical objects created and used by human societies.

Flashcard 55: Define stimulus diffusion.

Answer: Stimulus diffusion is when a cultural trend spreads but is changed by adopters. The core idea spreads but gets modified to fit local conditions.

Flashcard 56: What is secularism?

Answer: Secularism is the principle of separating religion from civic affairs. Promotes religious neutrality in government and public institutions.

Flashcard 57: What is material culture?

Answer: Material culture includes physical objects, resources, and spaces people use. Tangible items that can be touched and seen in society.

Flashcard 58: Identify a modern example of a cultural hearth.

Answer: Silicon Valley for technological innovation. A contemporary source of innovation that influences global technology culture.

Flashcard 59: Define universalizing religions.

Answer: Universalizing religions aim to be global, appealing to all people wherever they live. Actively seek converts regardless of cultural or geographic background.

Flashcard 60: What is ethnocentrism?

Answer: Ethnocentrism is evaluating other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture. Can lead to cultural bias and prejudice against other societies.

Flashcard 61: What is a cultural region?

Answer: A cultural region is an area where people share similar cultural traits. Geographic areas unified by common cultural characteristics and practices.

Flashcard 62: What is the role of language in culture?

Answer: Language is a key component of cultural identity and transmission. Essential for preserving and passing cultural knowledge between generations.

Flashcard 63: Identify a modern example of a cultural hearth.

Answer: Silicon Valley for technological innovation. A contemporary source of innovation that influences global technology culture.

Flashcard 64: What is popular culture?

Answer: Popular culture is found in large, heterogeneous societies, sharing certain habits. Spread through mass media and appeals to diverse, widespread populations.

Flashcard 65: What is a taboo?

Answer: A taboo is a restriction on behavior imposed by social custom. Violations often result in social disapproval or punishment.

Flashcard 66: Identify a characteristic of ethnic religions.

Answer: Ethnic religions are often closely tied to a specific location or ethnic group. These religions typically concentrate in specific geographic regions.

Flashcard 67: What is relocation diffusion?

Answer: Relocation diffusion occurs when people move and bring cultural traits with them. Physical movement of people spreads their cultural practices to new locations.

Flashcard 68: Identify the two main types of culture.

Answer: Material culture and non-material culture. Distinguishes between tangible objects and intangible ideas/beliefs.

Flashcard 69: Define cultural relativism.

Answer: Cultural relativism is the practice of evaluating a culture by its own standards. Promotes understanding by avoiding judgment based on external standards.

Flashcard 70: Name a type of cultural diffusion.

Answer: Relocation diffusion. One of several ways cultural traits spread across space and time.

Flashcard 71: What is a cultural region?

Answer: A cultural region is an area where people share similar cultural traits. Geographic areas unified by common cultural characteristics and practices.

Flashcard 72: Define cultural convergence.

Answer: Cultural convergence is the tendency for cultures to become more alike. Globalization often drives cultures to adopt similar practices worldwide.

Flashcard 73: What is a dialect?

Answer: A dialect is a regional variation of a language distinguished by vocabulary and pronunciation. Local variations often reflect geographic isolation and cultural differences.

Flashcard 74: What is a cultural hearth?

Answer: A cultural hearth is a center where cultures developed and from which ideas spread. Origin points where major cultural innovations first emerged and diffused.

Flashcard 75: What is a cultural landscape?

Answer: A cultural landscape is the visible imprint of human activity on the environment. Shows how humans have modified and shaped their natural surroundings.

Flashcard 76: What is cultural diffusion?

Answer: Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities. Movement of cultural elements from one place or group to another.