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How Cultures Change

How Cultures Change. Terminology. Culture : The sum total of learned behavior in a given society Culture is the way of life – the shared, learned behavior – of a people Society : Refers to a number of people living within a certain geographic area who have a common culture.

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How Cultures Change

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  1. How Cultures Change

  2. Terminology • Culture: The sum total of learned behavior in a given society • Culture is the way of life – the shared, learned behavior – of a people • Society: Refers to a number of people living within a certain geographic area who have a common culture. • The basic characteristic of all societies is people. • The members of society transmit the culture from generation to generation. • Subcultures: is a group of people within a society who share certain beliefs, values, and customs. • An example would be the residents of Chinatown in Philadelphia or San Francisco.

  3. Causes of Cultural Change • Technology: Refers to the skills and tools that a people use • For thousands of years, cultures changed slowly • Advancements in technology, especially means of communication and transportation, has quickened the pace of change • Changing Environment • The natural environment has shaped human culture • People’s ways of life have been influenced by where they live • New Ideas • People change their behavior because of new information or ways of thinking

  4. Causes of Cultural Change - Diffusion • Diffusion: the movement of customs or ideas from one place to another. • The migration, or movement, of people across different regions of the globe has led to the exchange of goods, skills, ideas, and technology • Diffusion can occur by peaceful means such as trade or through war. • Conquerors throughout history have forced their ideas on the people they defeated • Some accept new ideas willingly in order to strengthen their own culture

  5. Ethnocentrism • Ethnocentrism: The judging of other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture • Ethnocentrism can be both good and bad • Good: It provides faith and confidence in one’s own cultural tradition • Bad: It can encourage racism and it can cause conflict and hostility between groups.

  6. Racism • Racism: the belief that one racial group is naturally superior to another • It often results when groups of people compete for food, land, money, and social power • The group that wins the struggle uses racist ideas as an excuse for dominating others • Cultural Relativism: The recognition that one culture cannot be judged by the standards of another.

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