habit ap human geography

Breiz Heurope

3 min read

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09-03-2025

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Habits and customs are fundamental concepts in AP Human Geography, reflecting the ingrained routines and traditions of a culture. Understanding their distinctions, diffusion, and impact on the cultural landscape is crucial for success in the course. This article delves into the nuances of habits and customs, exploring their roles in shaping human societies.

What are Habits and Customs?

Habits are repetitive acts that a particular individual performs. They are personal and idiosyncratic, varying widely from person to person. Brushing your teeth, drinking coffee in the morning, or always taking the same route to work are examples of habits.

Customs, on the other hand, are repetitive acts of a group, performed to the extent that they become characteristic of the group. They are shared practices within a culture and often reflect deeply held values or beliefs. Celebrating a national holiday, wearing traditional clothing for a specific event, or engaging in a particular religious ritual are examples of customs.

Key Differences: Habit vs. Custom

The Diffusion of Habits and Customs

The spread of habits and customs, or cultural diffusion, happens through various processes.

• Expansion Diffusion: This involves the spread of an idea from its hearth, with the idea remaining strong in the hearth area. Contagious diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, and stimulus diffusion are all types of expansion diffusion.
• Relocation Diffusion: This occurs when individuals or groups migrate, carrying their habits and customs with them to new locations. The original hearth may lose strength as the practice moves.

Consider how religious customs or food preparation techniques might spread across regions through these processes. A new type of cuisine becoming popular across a country is an example of expansion diffusion. The spread of a language by migrating people is an example of relocation diffusion.

Material and Non-Material Culture

Habits and customs are linked to both material and non-material aspects of culture.

Material Culture: This refers to tangible, physical objects associated with a culture, influenced by customs. Examples include clothing, tools, buildings, and art reflecting cultural practices. The design of traditional homes, specific tools used in agriculture, or unique clothing styles all reflect underlying customs.

Non-Material Culture: This includes intangible aspects like beliefs, values, and norms that guide cultural practices. Customs often stem from non-material cultural beliefs, whether religious, societal, or familial. The celebration of holidays, family traditions, and social etiquette all fall under non-material culture.

The Role of Habits and Customs in Shaping the Cultural Landscape

Habits and customs profoundly shape the cultural landscape, leaving visible and invisible imprints on the environment.

• Visible Imprints: Architectural styles, agricultural patterns, and settlement layouts are examples of visible cultural landscapes shaped by customs.
• Invisible Imprints: Shared values, social norms, and religious beliefs exert an invisible influence on how a space is used and perceived.

Examples of Habits and Customs

Let's explore specific examples to solidify our understanding:

• Greeting Customs: Different cultures have varying greeting rituals, ranging from handshakes to bows to kisses on the cheek. These are customs specific to a culture or region.
• Food Preparation and Consumption: Dietary habits and food preparation techniques are strongly influenced by cultural customs.
• Clothing Styles: Traditional clothing styles, often associated with specific groups or occasions, are part of a culture's customs.
• Religious Practices: Religious observances and rituals, deeply ingrained customs, shape daily life and the cultural landscape.

Conclusion: Understanding Cultural Diversity

Habits and customs are vital components of cultural geography. Their study allows us to understand cultural diversity, diffusion processes, and the complex interplay between human behavior and the environment. By analyzing these cultural traits, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of human societies and their landscapes. Understanding the difference between a habit and a custom, and how they diffuse, is key to successfully navigating the AP Human Geography curriculum.