What is Culture?

How a society lives and organizes itself.

6 ASPECTS OF CULTURE1) Social organization2) Social norms3) Learning & technology4) Arts5) Spiritual beliefs & religion6) Language & symbols

Cultural Diffusion• The interaction of different cultures with each

other (exchange of customs, traditions, etc.)• Direct diffusion– Direct contact (close proximity, trade,

intermarriage, warfare)• Hockey from Canada to U.S.

– Forced = through conquest (i.e. Conquistadors in New World enforced Christianity)

• Indirect diffusion– Spread through middleman or third culture

• Media such as TV, Internet spread culture w/out direct contact

Effects of Cultural Interaction

• Positives?– Innovations, New ideas– Spread of literacy, education– Understanding & appreciation

• Negatives?– Ethnocentrism & ethnic conflict– Discrimination– racism & racial conflict– Loss of a culture/language – Cultural leveling? World culture?