The Evolution Of Culture Quiz: Mods 13/14

Environmental determinism is a theory that suggests that the physical environment, including factors such as climate, geography, and resources, is the primary driver of cultural changes. According to this theory, the environment shapes and influences human behavior, societal development, and cultural practices. This perspective argues that the environment determines the course of human history and cultural evolution.

Expansion diffusion refers to the spread of a cultural trait throughout a culture. This means that the trait becomes widely adopted and integrated into the culture, reaching a large number of individuals within that society. It involves the process of the trait expanding and becoming more prevalent over time, potentially influencing various aspects of the culture. This can occur through various means such as migration, person-to-person contact, or the influence of a dominant group within the culture.

The given answer, "Money and occupation are a big focus of life," is the correct answer because it contradicts the characteristics of folk culture. Folk culture typically emphasizes a simpler way of life, strong family ties, and traditions. It is not centered around material wealth or career pursuits.

A tribe living in a rural area would best be described as Folk Culture because folk culture refers to the traditional practices, beliefs, and customs of a small, homogeneous group of people who live in a specific geographic area. This tribe, living in a rural area, is likely to have their own unique traditions, rituals, and cultural practices that have been passed down through generations. They are likely to have a strong connection to their land and natural resources, and their way of life is likely to be deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.

Assimilation refers to the process in which an individual adopts a new culture and gradually loses their old culture. This typically occurs when an individual from one culture becomes immersed in another culture, leading to a shift in their beliefs, values, and behaviors. Through assimilation, individuals may adopt new language, traditions, and customs, ultimately becoming integrated into the dominant culture and potentially losing aspects of their original culture.

The amount of time the culture developed before diffusing is not a factor in successfully diffusing in a new culture. The duration and integration of the culture, similarities between the original culture and the new culture, and cultural resistance are all factors that can impact the success of diffusion. However, the amount of time the culture developed before diffusing does not play a role in determining its success in a new culture.

Acculturation refers to the process in which two cultures come together and interact, resulting in the combination and blending of their respective cultural elements. It involves the exchange and integration of cultural practices, beliefs, values, and traditions between different groups. This process often occurs when individuals or groups from different cultures come into contact with each other, leading to the creation of a new and unique cultural identity that incorporates elements from both cultures. Acculturation can be seen as a mutual influence and adaptation between cultures, rather than the complete loss of one culture or the removal of a culture from a society.

Enculturation refers to the process of learning culture. It involves acquiring knowledge, beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that are characteristic of a particular society or group. Through enculturation, individuals learn how to navigate and participate in their cultural environment, gaining an understanding of social norms and expectations. This process begins from an early age and continues throughout one's life, shaping their identity and influencing their attitudes and behaviors. Enculturation is essential for individuals to become functioning members of their society and to maintain the continuity of cultural traditions and practices.

The answer suggests that the climate can influence the development of a society's culture. It implies that depending on the climate conditions, societies may adopt either a hardworking culture or a lazy culture. This explanation highlights the idea that environmental factors, such as climate, can shape the values, attitudes, and behaviors of a society.

Marx believed that technology would be a key factor in driving cultural changes. He argued that advancements in technology would lead to changes in the means of production, which in turn would shape social relations and cultural norms. According to Marx, as technology advanced, it would disrupt traditional modes of production and create new economic systems, ultimately leading to social and cultural transformations. Therefore, technology was seen as a catalyst for change in Marx's theory.

The Mayo Clinic is an internationally renowned medical facility located in Rochester, MN. It has a significant impact on the city's cultural landscape as it attracts patients, doctors, and researchers from all over the world. The Mayo Clinic's presence has shaped the community, influencing the local economy, healthcare industry, and overall identity of Rochester. It has become a symbol of excellence in healthcare and a source of pride for the residents.

The given answer is "Technology plays a key role into the expansion." This is because the question is asking for the factor that is NOT one of the four factors that determine the success of diffusion. The other three factors mentioned in the question - duration and intensity of the contact, similarities between the donor and recipient cultures, and degree of cultural integration - are all factors that do determine the success of diffusion. Therefore, technology is the factor that does not play a role in determining the success of diffusion.

Contagious Diffusion refers to the spread of an idea or innovation through direct person-to-person contact, similar to how a virus spreads. This type of diffusion does not involve migration or the movement of a cultural trait throughout a culture as in the other options. Instead, it focuses on the rapid transmission of a trait from one individual to another, creating a ripple effect throughout a population.

All of the above would best be described as a pop culture because Americans, the Lourdes community, and the British are all part of societies that are heavily influenced by popular culture. Pop culture refers to the trends, ideas, attitudes, and activities that are popular and widely accepted within a society or group. Therefore, since all the mentioned groups are part of societies that engage with and are influenced by popular culture, they can be categorized as a pop culture.

Varro's Theory of Human Stages focuses on the development and progress of human society. Agriculture is a major theme in this theory because it marks a significant shift in human civilization. The advent of agriculture allowed for the establishment of settled communities, the development of surplus food production, and the specialization of labor. This led to the growth of complex societies, the formation of social hierarchies, and the emergence of new technologies. Therefore, agriculture plays a crucial role in Varro's Theory of Human Stages as it is seen as a pivotal factor in the advancement of human civilization.

Relocation diffusion refers to the spread of a trait through the migration of people. This means that as people move from one place to another, they bring their cultural traits and practices with them, thereby spreading them to new areas. This type of diffusion is often seen when people migrate to new regions, bringing their language, customs, and traditions with them. It can result in the widespread movement of a cultural trait throughout a culture as it is adopted and integrated by the local population.

The given options describe various aspects of pop culture, such as being individualistic, having a money-based economy, and the police and government taking the place of religion and family. However, the statement "Change happens slowly" is not an aspect of pop culture, but rather a general observation about the pace of change in society. Pop culture is often characterized by rapid and constant change, reflecting the evolving tastes and trends of the masses. Therefore, the correct answer is "Change happens slowly" as it does not align with the characteristics of pop culture.

The correct answer is Hunters and Gatherers, Pastoral Nomadism, Settled Agriculture, Commercial Agriculture, Urbanization. This answer follows Varro's Theory of the Human Stages, which suggests that human societies have progressed through these stages in chronological order. The theory posits that early humans were hunters and gatherers, then transitioned to pastoral nomadism (raising livestock), followed by settled agriculture (farming), commercial agriculture (large-scale farming for trade), and finally urbanization (the development of cities and complex societies).

Hierarchical diffusion refers to the spread of a trait from one person to another in a top-down manner. This means that the trait is initially adopted by individuals or groups in positions of power or influence, and then it gradually spreads to lower levels of society. This type of diffusion is characterized by a flow of information or innovation that follows a hierarchical structure, with the trait being adopted by individuals at higher levels and then passed down to those at lower levels. It is a form of cultural transmission that occurs through social networks and can be observed in various aspects of society, such as the spread of fashion trends or technological advancements.

Environmental determinism is the theory that suggests that people have no impact on the progression of culture. According to this theory, the physical environment, such as climate, geography, and resources, determines the development and characteristics of a culture. It argues that human behavior and cultural practices are solely influenced by the natural surroundings and resources available to them. This theory downplays the role of human agency and innovation in shaping culture, emphasizing instead the deterministic influence of the environment.

Cultural Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural beliefs, practices, and ideas from one area or society to another. It involves the transmission of cultural elements such as language, religion, technology, and customs between different cultures. This process occurs through various means such as trade, migration, conquest, and communication. Cultural diffusion allows for the exchange and blending of different cultural traits, leading to the enrichment and evolution of societies.

Marx believed that technology would not continue to raise the standard of living as technology increased. This suggests that Marx did not view technological advancements as inherently beneficial to society. Instead, he likely believed that the benefits of technology would be limited or outweighed by other factors such as social inequality or exploitation. Marx's perspective may have been influenced by his analysis of capitalism and its impact on society.