Republic of the Philippines

Region IV-A CALABARZON

Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal

School University of Rizal System Year Level 2nd

Eduarte, Mark Lester Manuel
SSE 106 (Human
LESSON Teacher(s) Bagor, Edelyn Joyce Course
Geography)
PLAN Lim, Julliana
Teaching Date January, 2026 (Tuesday) Semester Second
Time 8:30-11:30 AM No. of Days 1

I. OBJECTIVES At the end of the lesson, learners are expected to:

a) Identify culture hearths and factors that influence cultural diffusion.

b) Appreciate cultural diversity and its importance in understanding
human behavior and space.
c) Analyze the role of religion, ethnicity, gender, and other cultural
elements in shaping human societies.

II. CONTENT 6. Cultural Geography

6.1 Components of Culture

6.2 Subsystems of Culture
6.3 Interaction of People and Environment
6.4 Culture Change
6.5 Cultural Diversity
6.6 Language
6.7 Religion
6.8 Ethnicity
6.9 Gender and Culture
6.10 Other Aspects of Cultural Diversity

III. LEARNING RESOURCES

A. References
a. Teacher’s Guide Pages
b. Learner’s Material
Pages
Arthur Getis, Mark Bjelland, Victoria Getis - Introduction to Geography-
c. Textbook Pages
McGraw-Hill Education (2017).pdf / Page 141-184
d. Additional Materials
• PowerPoint presentation
from Learning
• TV
Resources
IV. PROCEDURES
A. Activity (your motivation
and/or introductory activity Exploring the Diversity of Human Culture
goes here)
1. Identify the ways people express their way of life and traditions.
Answer: 6.1 Components of Culture
2. Recognize the main parts that make up a culture: ideological,
technological, and sociological.
Answer: 6.2 Subsystems of Culture
3. Observe how people interact with and adapt to their environment.
Answer: 6.3 Interaction of People and Environment
4. Understand the origin or source of a society’s culture.
Answer: 6.4 Culture Change
5. Notice how cultures change over time through outside influences.
Answer: 6.5 Cultural Diversity
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
6. Locate the places where civilizations first developed.
Answer: 6.6 Language
7. Explore beliefs and practices that unite people into a moral
community.
Answer: 6.7 Religion
8. Recognize the identity of a group based on origin, language, and
traditions.
Answer: 6.8 Ethnicity
9. Examine the roles, responsibilities, and status of men and women in
society.
Answer: 6.9 Gender and Culture
10. Identify other cultural elements such as music, food, and architecture
that show diversity.
Answer: 6.10 Other Aspects of Cultural Diversity

B. Analysis (analysis
questions about the activity 1. How do the different ways people express their culture—through
and transition to lesson food, clothing, or festivals—affect your understanding of who they
proper) are?
2. In what ways do beliefs, gender roles, or ethnic identity influence the
choices people make in their daily lives?
3. How does observing the interactions between people and their
environment help explain why cultures develop differently across
regions?

C. Abstraction (lesson
proper) 6.1 Components of Culture

Culture is a learned system of behavior, beliefs, knowledge, and practices

that is transmitted from one generation to the next through imitation,
instruction, and social interaction. It is not biologically inherited and is
unrelated to instinct or genetic traits. Individuals acquire culture as members
of society, learning shared patterns of behavior, perceptions of the
environment, and the use of available technologies. However, no individual
fully learns every aspect of a culture. Social factors such as age, gender,
status, and occupation shape the degree to which people become familiar
with different components of the cultural whole.

A culture is organized through a social structure that defines roles and

relationships among individuals and groups. Despite outward similarities,
cultures are never completely uniform. Within any culture exist numerous
subgroups based on factors such as occupation, age, gender, religious
affiliation, and political orientation. Each subgroup maintains its own norms
and expectations while remaining part of the larger cultural system. Culture,
therefore, is best understood as an interconnected web of behaviors and
attitudes rather than a collection of isolated traits.

To analyze this complexity, geographers identify fundamental cultural

components. The smallest unit of culture is the culture trait, which includes
learned behaviors, objects, beliefs, and attitudes such as language, tools,
religious practices, and food preferences. When related traits function
together, they form a culture complex, such as the interrelated practices
associated with cattle herding among the Masai people. A culture system
refers to a broader collection of interacting traits and complexes shared by a
group within a particular territory. These cultural components have spatial
expression, leading to the identification of culture regions and, at a broader
scale, culture realms. Although globalization has blurred many cultural
boundaries, these concepts remain essential for understanding the spatial
organization of human cultures.
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal

6.2 Subsystems of Culture

Culture can also be examined through its internal structure, which consists of
interrelated subsystems that together form a unified whole. Anthropologist
Leslie White proposed that culture is composed of three primary subsystems:
technological, sociological, and ideological. These subsystems are
integrated, meaning that change in one subsystem often produces change in
the others. This interdependence highlights the complexity and dynamic
nature of culture.

The technological subsystem consists of the material objects, or artifacts, and

the techniques used by a society to meet its basic needs. These include tools
for food production, shelter, transportation, communication, and economic
activity. Throughout history, technological development has played a major
role in shaping cultural diversity. Early societies relied on hunting and
gathering with limited tools and minimal environmental impact. The
development of agriculture and animal domestication increased population
size and social complexity, while the Industrial Revolution led to urbanization
and advanced technological systems. In the modern world, many societies
have experienced technological convergence, sharing similar tools and
techniques, though significant differences persist between developed and
developing economies due to variations in wealth, energy use, and economic
organization.

The sociological subsystem encompasses the social institutions and patterns

of interaction that regulate human relationships. These include family
structures, political systems, religious institutions, educational organizations,
and legal frameworks. These institutions define acceptable behavior and
shape how individuals relate to one another and to the state. The ideological
subsystem consists of the ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge that guide
social behavior and cultural meaning. Religion, philosophy, traditions, and
moral systems are central to this subsystem. Together, these subsystems
demonstrate cultural integration, emphasizing that no cultural element exists
independently from the others.

6.3 Interaction of People and Environment

Culture develops within a physical environment that both provides

opportunities and imposes limitations on human activity. In subsistence
societies, cultural practices related to food, shelter, and clothing depend
heavily on the use of available natural resources. The study of these
relationships is known as cultural ecology, which examines how cultural
groups adapt to, perceive, and transform their environments. Similar
environmental conditions in different locations have often led to similar
cultural adaptations, although environment alone does not determine cultural
outcomes.

Earlier geographic thought promoted environmental determinism, the belief

that physical environment—especially climate—directly shaped cultural
development and levels of advancement. This perspective has been rejected
because it oversimplifies human behavior and ignores historical, political, and
economic influences such as colonialism and global inequality. Instead,
geographers support possibilism, which emphasizes human choice and
cultural agency. According to this view, people assess the possibilities offered
by the environment based on their cultural values, technological capabilities,
and social needs. Humans also actively reshape their environment, creating
cultural landscapes such as cities, farms, transportation networks, and
industrial areas. These landscapes serve as visible records of cultural activity
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
and reflect the level of technological development and cultural priorities of a
society.

6.4 Culture Change

Change is a constant and defining feature of culture. No culture remains

permanently fixed in its material objects, social systems, or belief structures,
even though some cultural patterns may endure for long periods, especially
in relatively isolated societies. In reality, complete isolation is rare, and
cultures—while generally conservative—are always evolving. Cultural
change often occurs gradually through small, almost unnoticed adjustments
that accumulate over time and eventually transform society in meaningful
ways.

These changes are interconnected because culture functions as an integrated

system. When one cultural trait changes, related traits adjust to maintain
balance within the whole. Technological developments, for example, not only
alter material life but also influence social roles, economic structures, and
belief systems. Cultural change is driven primarily by three processes:
innovation, diffusion, and acculturation.

Innovation refers to new ideas or practices that originate within a culture.

These may be technological, such as new tools or machines, or social and
ideological, such as political systems or religious beliefs. While traditional
societies often resist innovation to preserve stability, history shows that
periods of stress—such as population pressure or environmental change—
frequently stimulate invention. Major innovations, especially those related to
food production during the Agricultural Revolution, reshaped human societies
by enabling permanent settlement, population growth, specialization of labor,
and social stratification. Areas where such foundational innovations first
emerged are known as culture hearths, from which new ideas spread outward
to surrounding regions.

Diffusion is the process by which cultural traits spread from one place to
another, either through the movement of people or through the transmission
of information. Much of what defines any culture today originated elsewhere
and was adopted through diffusion rather than invented locally. However,
diffusion is selective and shaped by cultural barriers such as religion, politics,
and social values. Borrowed cultural elements are often modified through
syncretism, blending new ideas with existing traditions to make them culturally
acceptable.

Acculturation occurs when prolonged contact between cultural groups leads

to significant cultural change, especially when one group is dominant. While
acculturation often involves minority groups adopting the language,
behaviors, and values of the dominant culture, the process can be reciprocal,
with both groups influencing one another. Over time, this interaction may lead
to assimilation, though cultural identity may persist or even become more
pronounced as groups seek to protect their heritage within multicultural
societies.

6.5 Cultural Diversity

Despite centuries of innovation, diffusion, and cultural interaction, the world

has not evolved into a single, uniform culture. Instead, cultural diversity
remains a defining characteristic of human societies. While globalization has
increased access to shared technologies, lifestyles, and economic systems,
it has not erased cultural differences. In many cases, increased global
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
integration has encouraged groups to more strongly assert local, ethnic,
religious, or cultural identities.

Geographers are particularly interested in culture traits that show clear spatial
patterns and help distinguish regions and societies. Among the most
important of these are language, religion, ethnicity, and gender. These traits
play a central role in shaping identity and social organization and are key
components of the ideological and sociological subsystems of culture.

Ethnicity represents a shared cultural identity based on a combination of traits

such as language, religion, ancestry, customs, and historical experience. It
often has a strong geographic expression and can serve as both a source of
unity and tension within multicultural societies. Gender, as a socially
constructed role rather than a biological distinction, is another critical element
of cultural diversity. Gender roles influence access to resources, division of
labor, use of space, and social status, making gender relations an important
subject of geographic analysis.

Cultural diversity, therefore, is not a temporary condition but an enduring

outcome of historical processes, human adaptation, and social interaction.
Understanding these differences helps explain regional patterns, social
inequalities, and cultural conflict in the contemporary world.

6.6 Language

Language is the most important vehicle through which culture is transmitted

and maintained. It enables communication, cooperation, and shared
understanding within a society, allowing cultural values, knowledge, and
social norms to be passed from one generation to the next. Language not only
reflects culture but may also shape how people perceive the world, influencing
thought patterns, attitudes, and social behavior. For this reason, language is
both a symbol and a source of cultural differentiation.

The world’s linguistic diversity is vast, with thousands of languages spoken

by billions of people. These languages are not evenly distributed, and their
geographic patterns reflect historical migration, conquest, trade, and
colonization. While a small number of major languages are spoken by a large
share of the global population, many others are endangered and may
disappear within the next century. Linguists classify languages into families
based on shared origins, with the Indo-European family being the most
widespread, encompassing many languages of Europe, South Asia, and the
Americas.

Languages spread either through the movement of people into new territories
or through adoption by new speakers. Over time, isolation and cultural
interaction can lead to the development of dialects and entirely new
languages. Language change is gradual but continuous, shaped by social
contact, migration, and technological advances. English, for example, evolved
through successive cultural influences and spread globally through
colonization, trade, and its modern role in science, commerce, and
communication.

Within a language community, variation is common. Standard languages

coexist with regional and social dialects that reflect geographic location, social
class, and cultural identity. In multilingual societies, communication may rely
on lingua francas, pidgins, or creole languages that emerge from sustained
cultural contact. Language is also deeply embedded in the cultural landscape
through place-names, which preserve historical and cultural memory long
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
after the original speakers have disappeared. As such, language remains one
of the most powerful indicators of cultural identity, unity, and diversity.

6.7 Religion

Religion, like language, is a powerful cultural force that unites people and
gives them a shared sense of identity. In some societies, religion
complements language as a cultural bond, while in others it may even replace
language as the primary marker of identity. Unlike language, however, religion
does not play the same role everywhere. In some societies it dominates daily
life, while in others it is less important, rejected, or even suppressed. All
societies possess value systems that guide behavior and beliefs, and when
these systems involve faith in the sacred or divine, they are considered
religions.

Religion influences all parts of culture. It is part of the ideological subsystem

through beliefs and values, the sociological subsystem through organized
institutions such as churches or mosques, and even the technological
subsystem by shaping attitudes toward work, consumption, and rewards.
Even nonreligious belief systems such as humanism or Marxism can function
in similar ways by strongly guiding social behavior. Societies that appear
secular today are still shaped by religious traditions in laws, customs, and
work patterns.

Geographers classify religions based on their spatial behavior rather than

theology. Universalizing religions—Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism—seek
converts and spread widely across the world. Ethnic religions, such as
Hinduism, Judaism, and Shinto, are closely tied to specific peoples and
places and are usually inherited by birth. Tribal or traditional religions are
localized belief systems often closely connected to nature, such as animism
and shamanism. These categories help explain why some religions are
widespread while others remain regionally confined.

Religion leaves a visible imprint on the cultural landscape through sacred

buildings, burial practices, pilgrimage routes, and settlement patterns.
Although religious institutions tend to resist change, religion itself is dynamic.
Beliefs may weaken through secularism or intensify during periods of conflict.
Religious differences have played a role in many historical and contemporary
conflicts, often reinforcing ethnic or political divisions. At the same time, many
societies are religiously diverse, and tolerance or intolerance toward minority
religions greatly affects social stability.

6.8 Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to shared ancestry and cultural heritage that distinguish one
group of people from another. It is not defined by a single trait but by a
combination of language, religion, customs, historical experience, and
traditions. Ethnic groups often seek to preserve their identity by maintaining
their cultural practices, social networks, and institutions. This desire for
preservation may also lead to ethnocentrism, the belief that one’s own ethnic
group is superior.

Ethnicity usually becomes visible when a group exists as a minority within a

society dominated by a different culture. While dominant groups are rarely
labeled as ethnic in their own homelands, minorities are often identified and
sometimes segregated. Ethnic diversity demonstrates that culture regions are
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
rarely homogeneous and that multiple identities often coexist within the same
territory.

Territorial concentration plays an important role in maintaining ethnic identity.

Many ethnic groups have historical homelands, while others form enclaves
through migration. Immigration has increased ethnic diversity worldwide,
particularly in urban areas. Immigrants often cluster in neighborhoods such
as Chinatowns or Little Italys, which provide social support and help ease
adaptation to a new society. Over time, some groups assimilate, while others
retain distinct identities.

In recent decades, ethnic settlement patterns have expanded into suburban

areas, forming ethnoburbs—affluent, suburban ethnic communities with
strong international connections. These patterns reflect globalization and
transnationalism, where people maintain ties to more than one country.
Ethnicity remains a powerful force shaping social interaction, political
movements, and spatial organization.

6.9 Gender and Culture

Gender refers to socially constructed roles and expectations associated with

femininity and masculinity, not biological differences. Because gender roles
vary across cultures, the status of women is an important subject in cultural
geography. Gender relationships are shaped by economic development,
religion, customs, and technological change, leading to significant differences
between and within societies.

In early hunting-and-gathering societies, men and women often had

complementary and relatively equal roles. The Agricultural Revolution altered
these relationships. In societies practicing hoe agriculture, women remained
economically important and retained relatively high status. In plow-based
agriculture, however, women’s participation in production declined, leading to
reduced social power, fewer property rights, and increased dependence on
male family members.

Despite reduced status, women worldwide work longer hours than men when
both paid and unpaid labor are considered. In developing countries, women
perform much of the agricultural work, household labor, and resource
collection, often under harsh conditions and with little economic reward. Even
in developed countries, women are generally paid less than men and remain
underrepresented in leadership roles.

Industrialization and modernization initially reinforced gender inequality, but

in the late 20th century, women in developed countries began to gain
education, employment opportunities, and political rights. Globalization has
increased women’s participation in paid labor, especially in export-oriented
industries, but has not eliminated discrimination. Gender equality varies
widely by region, with the highest levels found in Scandinavia and the lowest
in areas where cultural and religious restrictions remain strong.

6.10 Other Aspects of Diversity

Culture is far more complex than the major traits discussed in this chapter.
Architecture, music, food, and leisure activities also express cultural identity
and regional diversity. Architectural styles, even when mixed together in
modern cities, reflect cultural origins and diffusion. Churches, homes, and
public buildings reveal both function and cultural influence.
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
Music is a universal cultural expression but varies greatly by region and social
group. Folk and popular music often emerge from specific cultural
experiences and places. Many musical styles result from syncretism, blending
influences from different cultures. Food traditions show similar patterns, as
cuisines spread and adapt through migration and globalization.

These cultural elements, though sometimes less emphasized, contribute to

the rich mosaic of human life. Together, they illustrate how culture shapes
space, identity, and everyday experience. Cultural geography seeks to
understand these patterns and their spatial expressions, while related topics
such as politics, economics, and urbanization are explored in later chapters.

D. Assessment (a short quiz

that the class can answer for Quiz: Understanding Cultural Diversity
10-15 minutes)
1. The total way of life of a society, including beliefs, traditions, and
technologies, is called:
A. Environment
B. Culture
C. Ethnicity
D. Religion
Answer: B

2. Culture can be divided into subsystems. Which of the following is an

example of the technological subsystem?
A. Beliefs about the afterlife
B. Tools and techniques for farming
C. Social norms of marriage
D. Language
Answer: B

3. The interaction between humans and their environment that shapes

culture is called:
A. Cultural diffusion
B. Cultural landscape
C. Human-environment interaction
D. Ethnocentrism
Answer: C

4. Early civilizations that influenced surrounding regions and gave rise to

new cultures are called:
A. Culture hearths
B. Ethnic enclaves
C. Universal religions
D. Subsystems
Answer: A

5. Innovations or ideas that spread and change societies over time are
called:
A. Culture hearths
B. Seeds of change
C. Cultural landscapes
D. Gender roles
Answer: B

6. Religion is considered a:
A. Only a personal belief
B. A binding value system that unites members of a society
C. The same in all societies
D. Limited to rituals
Answer: B
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
7. A religion that claims applicability to all humans and seeks to spread
through missionary work is called:
A. Ethnic religion
B. Tribal religion
C. Universalizing religion
D. Secular belief
Answer: C

8. Judaism is an example of a:
A. Universalizing religion
B. Ethnic religion
C. Tribal religion
D. State religion
Answer: B

9. Christianity spread widely through:

A. Government prohibitions
B. Trade and missionary work
C. Ethnic restrictions
D. Secularism
Answer: B

10. Islam’s “five pillars” show:

A. The economic role of Muslims
B. Core religious duties and communal practices
C. How religion does not affect society
D. Only local customs
Answer: B

11. Hinduism is considered a(n):

A. Universalizing religion
B. Ethnic religion
C. Tribal religion
D. State religion
Answer: B

12. Buddhism originated as a reform movement from:

A. Christianity
B. Hinduism
C. Judaism
D. Islam
Answer: B

13. In East Asia, ethical philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism blended
with:
A. Judaism
B. Shinto and Buddhism
C. Islam
D. Christianity
Answer: B

14. Ethnic identity is often maintained through:

A. Government policies alone
B. Shared language, religion, and customs
C. Universal laws
D. Random migration
Answer: B

15. Immigrant communities in foreign countries often create areas called:

A. Cultural hearths
B. Ethnoburbs
C. Universalizing religions
 Republic of the Philippines
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Antipolo City
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Antipolo, Rizal
D. Secular zones
Answer: B

16. Gender roles in society are:

A. Biologically determined only
B. Socially created distinctions between males and females
C. The same in all societies
D. Irrelevant in cultural studies
Answer: B

17. In subsistence agriculture, women’s roles tend to be:

A. Less productive than men
B. Equal to men
C. Confined to urban areas
D. Irrelevant to economic output
Answer: B

18. The term used for a decrease in women’s status in plow-based

agriculture societies is:
A. Secularism
B. Subordination
C. Universalization
D. Ethnoburb
Answer: B

19. Music, food, and architectural styles are examples of:

A. Religious rules
B. Expressions of cultural diversity
C. Universalizing religions
D. Economic activities
Answer: B

20. Observing differences in culture, gender, religion, and ethnicity helps us

understand:
A. Only economic systems
B. Human diversity and spatial behavior
C. Only political systems
D. Geographic coordinates
Answer: B

Prepared by:
MARK LESTER MANUEL EDUARTE
EDELYN JOYCE BAGOR
JULLIANA LIM
BSE – SOCIAL STUDIES 2