Unit 5 - Changing identities and cultures

Question 1

What are ‘cultural traits’?

Answer 1

a sense of “who we are” and where we belong; they give us a sense of our own identity and how we identify with others

Question 2

What is ‘cultural diffusion’?

Answer 2

the spread of cultural traits

Question 3

How does cultural diffusion take place?

Answer 3

• when two cultures intermingle: historically when members of different cultures interacted with one another through trade etc.
• forced cultural diffusion: when one defeats another and forces its beliefs and customs on the conquered peole
• globalisation: cultural ideas spread through communications technology and mass media

Question 4

What is cultural imperialism?

Answer 4

when dominant culture captures markets for its commodities and thereby gains influence and control over the popular consciousness of other cultures

Question 5

How does ‘cultural imperialism’ take place?

Answer 5

• dissociates people from their cultural roots and traditions of solidarity, replacing them with media-created needs that change with every publicity campaign
• alienate people from traditional community bonds from one another
• > societies are bribed and pressured into shaping their social institutions to the dominant system

Question 6

What are some of the means cultural imperialism take place through?

Answer 6

language 
tourism 
global brands
the media 
democracy

Question 7

What are some criticisms of cultural imperialism?

Answer 7

• creation of a universalised hybrid culture

- ascribes to globalisation too much determining power - the power of locality, and local culture is overlooked

Question 8

What is ‘globalisation?’

Answer 8

Glocalisation is the concept that in a global market, a product or service is more likely to succeed when it is customised for the locality or culture in which it is sold.

Question 9

What are the causes of uniform landscapes?

Answer 9

• improvements in communications technology
• increased international migration and the spread of ideas and cultures
• time-space convergence
• the desire of global brands
• improvements in standards of living and aspirations to be a part of a global network
• globalisation of economic activity, culture and political activity

Question 10

What are features of urban areas around the world?

Answer 10

• tall towers
• industrial estates and science parks are increasingly globalised
• pedestrianised shopping centres

Question 11

What is a diaspora?

Answer 11

the scattering of a population formerly concentration in one place; originally referred to the dispersal of the Jewish population from Palestine in 70 CE

Question 12

Examples of diasporas?

Answer 12

• forced resettlement of Africans in the slave trade
• imperial diasporas during colonial expansion
• professional and business diasporas
• cultural diasporas