The Study of Human Geography Chapter 3, Section 1 Environmental Determinism vs. Possibilism Environmental Determinism Belief that the physical environment, esp. climate, exclusively shapes humans, their actions, and their thoughts The continuous warm weather of the lower latitudes was believed to make it easier for humans to survive. Prompting those societies to become characterized by laziness and a relaxed attitude. The variability of temps. and precip. in the higher latitudes was believed to make it more challenging for survival. Prompting those societies to develop more driven and determined work ethics Stresses human adaption to the environment Ultimately dismissed by geographers B/c it was used to help promote racism in world cultures Environmental Determinism vs. Possibilism Possibilism Belief that humans can alter the environment in any way to best serve their needs through the use of technology Stresses human modification of their environment Ultimately dismissed as well as being too extreme Human-Environmental Interaction Theme of geographer that combines the theories Environment does place certain limitations on humans. However, restrictions are not absolute, enduring restrictions. Technology can modify the environment. However, there are limits on the extent to which technology can alter the environment. Culture and Its Components Society vs. Culture Society Group of people Culture Group of people s way of life Material vs. Non-Material Culture Material Culture Physical objects created by asociety Non-Material Culture Abstract creations of asociety, such as language Culture Trait Smallest, distinct item of aculture Can range from an object to a technique to a belief Culture Region Portions of the earth s surface occupied by societies sharing recognizable, distinct cultural traits and characteristics Structure of Culture Technological Subsystem Consists of material objects, how those material objects are used, and the techniques by which those objects are made Artifacts Material objects studied in the technological subsystem Ideological l Subsystem Consists of the ideas, beliefs, and knowledge and how these things are communicated Thru myths, legends, literature, philosophy, folk lore, etc. Mentifacts Abstract belief system studied in the ideological subsystem Sociological Subsystem Consists of the accepted patterns of how different members of society relate to one another Sociofact Patters of behavior studied in the sociological subsystem 1
Structure of Culture Each of the three subsystems are linked. Ex. #1: Dwellings As artifacts: They re objects that were made by and used by a society. mentifacts: There are accepted convictions about design and materials used. sociofacts: There is a specific kinship group the dwelling is designed to house. Structure of Culture Ex. #2: Clothing As artifacts: They re objects that are made by and used by a society. mentifacts: There are accepted convictions about design and materials used. sociofacts: They help identify an individual s role in the community or society. Culture and Change Culture tends to by dynamic. Subject to change Societies tend to have an innate resistance to change. Reasons for Change Innovation Diffusion Acculturation 2
Innovation New idea or object Cultural Hearth Center of the innovation From where the cultural trait or characteristic diffused to surrounding regions Diffusion Process by which an idea or innovation is transmitted from one culture to another Expansion Diffusion i Occurs when info. about an innovation spreads throughout a society Diffusion Relocation Diffusion Occurs when people migrate to a new area and take their culture w/ them E.g., immigrants Occurs much more quickly today than in the past B/c of improved communication and transportation systems Diffusion Barrier Something that hinders the flow of info. and/or migration of people to retard or prevent the acceptance of an innovation Distance Decay Idea that the further two areas are from each other, the less likely interaction occurs Explains why an innovation is more likely to diffuse to an area nearby rather than far away Diffusion Barriers Interrupting Barrier Element in the physical environment that delays or deflects the path of diffusion E.g., oceans, mts., etc. Political Barrier Cultural Barrier 3
Acculturation Cultural modification when one cultural group or individual adopts the new culture of a dominant host society May occur either as a result of migration or conquest Ethnocentrism Belief that one s own ethnic group or cultural group is superior to all other cultures Source of disagreements and/or conflicts btw. people and other countries Cultural Relativism Belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards Used to study other cultures to understand d cultural l practices from the pt. of view of the members of the society being studied Examples: Sacred Cow Prohibition of Pork Sacred Cow From the Hindu (Indian) culture Prohibits the killing cattle Even though people are starving Importance of Cattle Source of milk Beast of burden Source of dung Conclusion: The cow is worth more alive than dead. Uses of Cow Dung Fertilizer Fuel Most of India has been deforested. Fossil fuels are scarce and expensive to import. Building material in the construction of dwellings Mixed w/ grass to plaster the walls of dwellings 4
Prohibition of Pork From the culture of the Jews Originated from their beginnings in a desert environment Hogs are not suited to a desert environment. They lack sweat glands. Which is why they wallow in the mud Pork is not easily preserved w/o refrigeration. Tends to spoil quickly Causes illness if eaten Conclusion: Because of the difficulty in raising hogs and preserving pork, the Jews felt it was too dangerous to eat pork. 5