Comparing Folk and Pop Culture AP Human Geography Cultural processes unit

Comparing Homes Explain how the cultures of the people who live in the houses are different.

Folk Culture People who maintain traditions (tradition is paramount) Change comes infrequently and slowly Describes people who live in an “old-fashioned way” Simpler life-style Rural, cohesive, conservative, largely self-sufficient group Strong family or clan structure and highly developed rituals Maintains order

Folk Culture Little specialization in labor Duties may vary between genders Subsistence economy prevails Individualism and social classes are weakly developed Common in underdeveloped regions Industrialized countries no longer have unaltered folk cultures

Popular Culture Consists of large masses of people who conform to and prescribe to ever- changing norms Large heterogeneous groups Often highly individualistic and groups are constantly changing Pronounced division of labor leading to establishment of specialized professions Police take the place of religion and family in maintaining order

Popular Culture Money based economy prevails Replace folk in developed countries Folk-made objects give way to their popular equivalent Item is more quickly or cheaply produced Easier or time-saving to use

Origin and Diffusion of Folk Culture Often anonymous or independently in multiple hearths Diffusion Rarely diffuses; does so through relocation diffusion Predominantly promoted through isolation Customs usually only apply to the areas that they originate from Limited by lack of technology and communication Example of Folk to Pop: Soccer Started as folk culture but popularity caused it to spread rapidly – becoming popular culture

Origin and Diffusion of Pop Culture Most often economically MDC North America, Western Europe, and Japan Examples: music, fast food Diffusion Could start out as hierarchical Contagious due to modern communication and transportation

Diffusion of Folk and Popular Culture Pop Culture Contagious due to modern communication and transportation Hierarchical Folk Culture Rarely diffuses; does so mostly through relocation diffusion Soccer Started as folk culture but popularity caused it to spread rapidly – becoming popular culture

Wide Distribution of Pop Culture TV is an important part of spreading pop culture Most popular leisure activity Promotes other popular cultures The internet publishes international news

Globalizing Pop can lead to loss of folk Emigration from folk decreases population Clothing trends Role of women: TV and Internet promote equality MDC culture can become dominate through TV and Internet Majority of TV industry in the US, UK and Japan, most LDCs in their area are being introduced to that country’s popular customs

Environmental Impact of Pop Culture Modification of the environment Golf courses, shopping centers Increased demand for nat. resources Animals (meat), oil, etc. Pollution Can produce a high volume of waste Environmental preservation networking