#AP Human Geography: Cultural Interactions - The Night Before

Hey! Let's get you ready for the exam. We're going to break down cultural interactions into bite-sized pieces, so you feel confident and ready to go. Let's do this!

#Cultural Diffusion: How Cultures Mix and Mingle

Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural traits—ideas, customs, technologies—from one place to another. It's the engine that drives cultural change. Think of it like a global game of telephone, where messages (cultural traits) get passed around, sometimes changing a little along the way.

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• Relocation Diffusion: People move and bring their culture with them. Think of it as culture on the go! 🚶‍♀️

  • Example: Immigrants bringing their language, food, and traditions to a new country.

• Expansion Diffusion: A cultural trait spreads outward from a hearth (origin point).

  • Hierarchical Diffusion: Spreads from powerful to less powerful people or places. Think of fashion trends starting in big cities and then spreading to smaller towns. 👑
  • Contagious Diffusion: Spreads rapidly and widely, like a disease. Think of a viral meme spreading across the internet. 🦠
  • Stimulus Diffusion: An idea spreads, but it's modified or adapted by the new culture. Think of McDonald's adapting its menu to local tastes in different countries. 🍔

#Acculturation, Transculturation, and Syncretism:

These are the specific ways cultures interact and change when they meet. Let's break them down:

#Acculturation

• Definition: A minority culture adopts aspects of a dominant culture. It's usually a one-way street where the minority group changes more than the dominant group. 🏘️

  • The minority group adapts to the host culture, often because of power dynamics.

• Example: Spanish speakers in the US learning English, often using English in public but Spanish at home.

  • Mongols adopting Chinese culture after conquering China.

  

  Image courtesy of INSIGHTSIAS

#Transculturation

• Definition: An equal exchange of cultural traits between two groups. It's a two-way street where both cultures influence each other. 🤝

  • It's a more balanced interaction than acculturation.

• Example: The blending of Buddhism and Confucianism in East Asia. Neither dominated; they influenced each other.

  

  Image courtesy of Future Architecture Platform

#Syncretism

• Definition: The creation of a new cultural trait from the blending of two or more existing traits. It's like a cultural mashup! 🎶

  • It results in something that is new and distinct.

• Example: Sikhism, which combines elements of Islam and Hinduism. Baha'i, which accepts other religious founders. Shin-Buddhist, which blends Buddhism and Shinto practices in Japan.

  

  Image courtesy of GoodSeed

#Assimilation and Cultural Appropriation

#Assimilation

• Definition: A minority culture fully integrates into the host culture, losing its original customs and traditions. It's like a cultural melting pot. 🍲

  • The minority culture is absorbed into the dominant culture.

• Example: Immigrants completely abandoning their native language and customs in favor of the host culture. The dominance of Latin language and culture due to the power of the Roman Empire.

  

  Image courtesy of Human Rights Careers

#Cultural Appropriation

• Definition: A dominant group takes cultural elements from a minority group for their own benefit, often without understanding or respecting the original context. 🎭

  • It can be seen as disrespectful and exploitative.

• Example: Using Native American tribal names for sports teams (Redskins, Blackhawks). Cultural imperialism, where one culture dominates another.

  

  Image courtesy of insider

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• Acculturation is about adapting to a dominant culture.
• Transculturation is about equal exchange between cultures.
• Syncretism is about creating something new from blending cultures.
• Assimilation is about losing one's original culture.
• Appropriation is about taking from another culture without respect.

#Final Exam Focus

• Cultural Diffusion: Understand the different types (relocation, expansion) and how they spread.
• Acculturation, Transculturation, Syncretism: Be able to define and give examples of each. Pay attention to the power dynamics involved.
• Assimilation and Appropriation: Understand the negative impacts of these processes on minority cultures.

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• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
• FRQs: Practice writing clear, concise answers. Use specific examples to support your points.
• MCQs: Read each question carefully. Eliminate answers you know are wrong.
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing acculturation with assimilation is a common mistake. Be sure to know the key differences!

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Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice

1. The spread of a new fashion trend from major cities to smaller towns is an example of: (a) Relocation diffusion (b) Contagious diffusion (c) Hierarchical diffusion (d) Stimulus diffusion (e) Reverse diffusion

2. The development of a new religion that combines elements of two existing religions is an example of: (a) Acculturation (b) Assimilation (c) Transculturation (d) Syncretism (e) Cultural appropriation

3. A group of immigrants moves to a new country and eventually loses their native language and customs, adopting those of their new country. This is an example of: (a) Acculturation (b) Assimilation (c) Transculturation (d) Syncretism (e) Cultural appropriation

#Free Response Question

Question:

Cultural diffusion is a complex process that can result in various forms of cultural interaction. Define and provide examples of acculturation, transculturation, and syncretism. Then, discuss the potential impacts of cultural appropriation on minority cultures.

Scoring Guidelines:

• Acculturation (2 points):
  • Definition: Adoption of cultural traits by a minority group from a dominant group (1 point).
  • Example: Spanish speakers in the US adopting English (1 point).
• Transculturation (2 points):
  • Definition: Equal exchange of cultural traits between two groups (1 point).
  • Example: The blending of Buddhism and Confucianism in East Asia (1 point).
• Syncretism (2 points):
  • Definition: Creation of a new cultural trait from blending two or more traits (1 point).
  • Example: Sikhism, which combines elements of Islam and Hinduism (1 point).
• Cultural Appropriation (3 points):
  • Definition: Dominant group taking cultural elements from a minority group without respect (1 point).
  • Impact 1: Disrespect and exploitation of minority culture (1 point).
  • Impact 2: Loss of cultural identity and authenticity for the minority group (1 point).