Chapter 4: Culture & Social Media

Question 1

Cultural Homogenization

Answer 1

reduction in cultural diversity through the popularization & diffusion of a wide array of cultural symbols

Question 2

Custom

Answer 2

practices followed by the people of a particular cultural group

Question 3

folk culture

Answer 3

• traditionally practiced by small, homogenous groups living in isolated rural areas
• influenced by physical & cultural factors

Question 4

Popular culture

Answer 4

found in large, heterogenous society that shares certain customs despite differences in other characteristics

Question 5

taboo

Answer 5

restriction on a behavior imposed by a social custom

Question 6

Two elements of culture emphasized in this chapter

Answer 6

daily necessities & leisure activities

Question 7

Popular culture (origin, diffusion, & distribution)

Answer 7

• product of developed countries, usually North America or Europe
• often traceable to a specific person/corporation
• diffuses rapidly with the help of modern communication
• widely distributed across many countries w/ little regard for physical features

Question 8

Folk culture (origin, diffusion, & distribution)

Answer 8

• anonymous origin (hearth), unknown sources
• smaller scale & slower transmission (relocation)
• local physical & cultural factors influence distribution; isolation bc of physical barriers

Question 9

Folk Music

Answer 9

anonymous origin, transmitted orally, content centers on events in daily life, migration of people diffuses music

Question 10

Popular Music

Answer 10

music written by specific individuals w/ the intent of being sold or performed, high degree of technical skill, connections among musicians across the globe

Question 11

Transformation of soccer

Answer 11

originated in England in 11th century, organized clubs were formed & professional players hired, rules were standardized & professional leagues were established
folk –> popular

Question 12

Folk clothing

Answer 12

style worn in response to distinct ag practices & climate conditions

Question 13

popular clothing

Answer 13

reflects occupation & income rather than environment

Question 14

Folk food

Answer 14

adapted to conditions in environment, taboos based on perceived beliefs (cultural) about food… e.g. muslims not eating pork

Question 15

Coke & Pepsi distribution

Answer 15

• Pepsi was sold in the Soviet union

- Many former soviets eventually switched to Coke bc pepsi was associated w communism

Question 16

Folk housing

Answer 16

influenced by: 
available resources
(two most common are wood & brick)
climate & local topography
sacred spaces & features (door orientation, Eastern wall is sacred in Fiji, etc.)

Question 17

Diffusion of TV, internet, & social media

Answer 17

• by mid-twentieth century TV’s were everywhere
• late twentieth century, more rapid than TV’s,
• same pattern as TV & internet

Question 18

Challenges with electronic media

Answer 18

External threat: developed countries control the media

Internal threat: social media (limiting access to TV & internet content)

Question 19

Challenges w/ preserving folk culture

Answer 19

increased connection w/ popular culture
impacts of globalization on the landscape
global diffusion of beliefs that challenge subservience of women to men

Question 20

In what ways can popular culture adversely affect the landscape?

Answer 20

Pollution of landscape (golf courses, motels, fast food restaurants)
Depletion of scarce natural resources