Cultural GeographyFolk Culture versus Popular Culture

Folk and Pop? Que?

simplified• Folk= limited to a smaller region and small

number of people.

• Pop= diffused widely and rapidly; accessible to the MASSES.

Folk Culture• Cultural practices that form the sights, smells,

sounds, and rituals of everyday existence in the traditional societies in which they developed.

• Usually:• Rural• Strong family ties• Strong interpersonal relationships• Cohesive group identity• Subsistence economy• Most goods are handmade• Most individuals perform a variety of tasks versus

specializing in one

• Usually isolated groups.• Long-lasting cultural traits. • No substantial change over long periods.

Folk Cultural Landscape• Buildings built without blueprints but tend to

follow a similar plan.• use similar materials as those used by other

members of the same cultural group.• LOCAL DESIGN.

Material Aspects of Folk Culture• Tools• Musical Instruments• Clothing

• TANGIBLE.

Nonmaterial Aspects of Folk Culture• Songs• Stories• Philosophies• Belief Systems• INTANGIBLE

USUALLY…• Folk culture spreads through relocation diffusion.

and SOMETIMES…• Folk traits and customs can diffuse and become

popular, become more uniform and consistent,

and then become a part of POP CULTURE.

•EXAMPLES?

Popular Culture• Dynamic culture.• Based in large,

heterogeneous societies permitting:• Individualism• Innovation• Change

• Money-based economy• Division of labor into professions• Secular institutions of control• Weak interpersonal ties• Producing and consuming machine-made goods.

Artifacts of Pop Culture• Things that can be produced, transmitted, and

accepted virtually anywhere on the earth’s surface. • Music• Food• Entertainment• Fashion• Recreation• Various forms of art

•NAME SOME EXAMPLES OF POPULAR CULTURAL

TRAITS THAT HAVE DIFFUSED AROUND

THE WORLD.

Diffusion in the Globalized World System• Allows for rapid diffusion and acceptance of

elements of pop culture. • Has led to increased access and improved

economic and educational opportunities.

BUT…• Caused people to lose their traditional ways of life

in favor of cheap entertainment and disposable goods.

Pop culture is diffusing faster because…• Internet • Efficient transportation tools• Communication technology

Cultural Imperialism• The dominance

of one culture over another.• Politically• Economically• Socially

• Can create cultural conflict.• Resentment• Protests• Attacks

Cultural homogeneity • Cultural sameness. • When cultures become

more similar.

• Pop cultural is threatening regional and cultural diversity.• Makes people look, sound,

act, and believe more of the same rather than in unique, local ways.

Maladaptive Diffusion• Adoption of a diffusing trait that is impractical for

a region or culture.

• Pop culture does not always reflect its environment.

• Blue jeans in very hot weather?

Consumption• Popular culture definitely impacts our

environment. • Many popular culture traits lead to increased

consumption of resources= more waste.

• Popularization of car instead of riding the bus. • Water bottles in landfills.• TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH.

• KNOW POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

ASPECTS OF FOLK CULTURE AND POP CULTURE!

• This would make a great FRQ question.