Chapter 4, Section 1

Elements of Culture

Elements of Culture 4.1• Culture is the total of knowledge, attitudes,

and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group– (food and shelter, religion, family relationships,

language, education, security/protection, political and social organization, creative expression)

– A group that shares a geographic region, a sense of identity and a culture is called a society

• A group within that society that has a separate identity is called an ethnic group

Cultures and societies are always in the process of change

• Creating something new to meet a need is innovation– Can happen on purpose or by accident

• The spread of these innovations is called diffusion• A cultural hearth is a site of basic ideas, materials,

and technology diffused into many cultures– Indus– Huang He– Nile River – Mesopotamia

Exposure to an innovation does not guarantee that a society will accept

it. • Acculturation occurs when a society changes

because it accepts or adopts an innovation

Language is one of the most important elements of culture

• It reflects all aspects of culture• Language helps to establish a cultural identity

– It builds group identity and sense of unity

• An estimated 3,000 to 6,500 languages are spoken around the world

• Versions of a language are called dialects• Language diffusion

– May follow trade routes, be invented or move with people through migration

Religion has a great influence on people’s lives

• Religion consist of a belief in a supernatural power or powers regarded as creators and maintainers of the universe.

• A religion establishes beliefs and values that define how people worship and behave towards each other

• Monotheistic-a belief in one god• Polytheistic-belief in many gods• Animistic, or traditional-belief in divine forces of nature• Religion may spread through diffusion and through

converts– Christianity, Islam and Buddhism actively seek to convert people to

their beliefs; others such as Judaism and Hinduism do not– Pockets of traditional belief systems are found on each continent

Three major religions began in Southwest Asia

• Judaism – Established over 3,200 years ago in what is today Israel– An ethnic religion with faith and culture tied together– Basic laws an teachings are in holy book, the Torah– The religious center is Jerusalem

• Christianity– Evolved around 2,000 years ago– Based on the teaching of Jesus, whom they believe was the son of God– Teachings are found in the New Testament– Spread from the Holy Land first through Paul the Apostle, then many missionaries– Largest of all religions– Three main groups: Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox

• Islam– Based on the teachings of Muhammad, who began teaching in 630 A.D.– Followers are known as Muslims– Holy Book is called the Qur’an– Five Pillars of Islam (Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, Pilgrimage)– Two major sects: Sunni and Shi’a– Spread across North Africa and into South and Central Asia to Indonesia

Two great religions grew in South Asia

• Hinduism – Dates back 5,000 years – Considered by many to be polytheistic– Caste system– Reincarnation– Holy writing is the Vedas

• Buddhism– Offshoot of Hinduism– Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha or

enlightened one)– Rejected the idea of caste– Promoted a way of living that would result in an enlightened

state know as nirvana

Other Asian belief systems

• Confucianism

• Taoism

• Shinto

All cultures have ways of expressing themselves artistically

• Reflect environment and culture

• Cultures produce performing arts, visual arts and literature