What is Cultural Diffusion?
The spread of cultural traits (ideas, customs, technologies) from one place to another.
Define Relocation Diffusion.
The spread of culture through the physical movement of people from one place to another.
What is Expansion Diffusion?
The spread of a trait from a hearth (source) to other places, with the number of adopters growing.
Define Contagious Diffusion.
The rapid, widespread diffusion of a trait throughout a population by direct contact.
What is Hierarchical Diffusion?
The spread of a trait from a position of power or authority to other people or places.
Define Stimulus Diffusion.
The spread of an underlying idea or principle, even though the specific trait is altered or adapted.
What is Maladaptive Diffusion?
The adoption of traits that are not suitable or beneficial for a particular environment or culture.
Define 'hearth' in the context of diffusion.
The origin or source area of a cultural trait.
What are cultural traits?
Individual components of a culture, such as ideas, customs, or technologies.
Define laggards in the context of the Diffusion S-Curve.
Late adopters of a new technology or idea.
Compare relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion.
Relocation: Culture spreads through people moving. Expansion: Culture spreads from a hearth, affecting more people.
Compare contagious and hierarchical diffusion.
Contagious: Rapid, widespread diffusion through direct contact. Hierarchical: Spreads from centers of power or authority.
Compare hierarchical and stimulus diffusion.
Hierarchical: Spreads from authority to other people/places. Stimulus: Underlying idea spreads and adapts.
Compare contagious and stimulus diffusion.
Contagious: Direct contact, rapid spread. Stimulus: Underlying idea spreads and adapts.
Compare positive and negative impacts of cultural diffusion.
Positive: Increased cultural exchange and understanding. Negative: Loss of traditional practices, homogenization.
Compare the roles of innovators and laggards in the diffusion process.
Innovators: First to adopt new ideas. Laggards: Last to adopt new ideas.
Compare the spread of Christianity and Islam as examples of diffusion.
Both spread through contagious diffusion via missionaries and everyday interactions, but also through hierarchical diffusion via conversion of leaders.
Compare the diffusion of fashion trends and governmental policies.
Fashion trends typically spread through hierarchical diffusion from major cities, while governmental policies also spread hierarchically from federal to local levels.
Compare the effects of relocation diffusion on the origin and destination cultures.
Origin culture may experience a loss of cultural traits, while the destination culture gains new cultural elements.
Compare maladaptive diffusion with sustainable cultural practices.
Maladaptive diffusion leads to unsustainable practices, while sustainable practices are beneficial and environmentally friendly.
Explain the concept of relocation diffusion.
Culture spreads as people migrate, bringing their customs and traditions to new locations.
Describe the process of expansion diffusion.
An idea or innovation spreads outward from a hearth, affecting an increasing number of people.
What is the key characteristic of contagious diffusion?
Rapid and widespread diffusion through direct contact, like a disease spreading.
How does hierarchical diffusion occur?
Spreads from centers of power or influence to other areas or people.
Explain how stimulus diffusion works.
The underlying principle of an idea spreads, but the specific trait is modified to fit the new context.
What is the significance of the Diffusion S-Curve?
Illustrates the typical adoption rate of a new technology or idea over time, showing innovators, early adopters, majority adopters, and laggards.
What are the potential negative consequences of maladaptive diffusion?
Can lead to environmental damage, resource depletion, or social problems due to the adoption of unsuitable practices.
What role do missionaries play in cultural diffusion?
Missionaries facilitate the spread of religious beliefs and practices to new regions, often through contagious diffusion.
How does globalization affect cultural diffusion?
Globalization accelerates cultural diffusion by increasing interconnectedness and facilitating the exchange of ideas and technologies.
Explain the role of social media in contagious diffusion.
Social media platforms enable the rapid and widespread diffusion of trends, memes, and ideas through person-to-person contact.
