Transcript Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Cultures of the World Section 1 What is Culture? Culture Culture A way of life for people who share similar beliefs and customs Cultural traits A characteristic of people, such as language, skills, customs; that are passed down from generation to generation Cultural Elements What you can see Houses Television, Food, Clothing Sports, entertainment, literature What you can’t see Spiritual beliefs Government Ideas about right and wrong Language People and the land Technology Tools and the skills that people need to use them. Science, computers, industry. Cultural Landscape How the land has been changed by humans, reflects on their culture. Development of Culture Cultures develop over a long period of time Early cultures: 4 stages 1-invention of tools 2-discovery of fire 3-growth of agriculture 4-use of writing Agriculture Agriculture Farming Growing crops and raising livestock Section 2 Social Groups, Language, and Religion Organizing a Society Social structure A way of organizing people into smaller groups The family is the most important social unit of any culture. Kinds of Families Nuclear family A family unit which includes a mother, father, and their children Extended family A family unit that may include parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins often living with or near each other Culture 3 important features of a culture 1- Social Organization A persons rank or status 2- Language Every culture is based on language Language reflects things that are important to people 3- Religion Provides comfort and hope for people during difficult times Guides people in ethics – Standards of accepted behavior Section 3 Economic and Political Systems Economic Systems • Economy – Is a system for producing, distributing and consuming goods and services Economy • Producers – A person that makes the products – Owners and workers – Produces goods • Goods – Products that are made to be sold – Cars, computers, paper, food • Services – Work done or duties performed for other people Economy • Consumers – People that buy and use the goods and services 3 Economies • Capitalism – Privately owned businesses – Consumer is important – Free-market Economy – U.S., Japan 3 Economies • Socialism – Government owns most businesses – Businesses for the good of society, not profit • Uses profits to pay for healthcare and education – Some businesses follow capitalism – Spain, Portugal, Italy – Canada has hints of socialism 3 Economies • Communism – Government owns all aspects of business • For the good of the people – Controls all aspects of citizens lives: • Prices of goods and services • What is produced • Workers salary – China, Cuba, North Korea Political Systems • • • • • Government – The system that sets up and enforces a society’s laws and institutions Direct Democracy – Everyone participated in decisions • Smaller groups:chiefs, elders Monarchy – King or Queen rule the government • Sweden, Denmark, Spain Representative Democracy – Representatives elected by the people to make decisions for them • U.S., Canada, Isreal Dictatorship – When one person has almost complete power over a country • Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler Section 4 Cultural Change Changing Cultures Environment Weather Ideas Recycle Technology Tools, seeds, computers, internet Sharing Ideas Cultural diffusion The movement of customs and ideas from one culture to another. Acculturation The process of accepting, borrowing, and exchanging ideas and traits among cultures.