AP Human Geo Vocab (12/11)

Diffusion

The process by which an innovation or idea spreads from one place to another over time. (ideas, war, art styles, fashion, technology)

Hearth

The place where an idea/innovation originates

Innovator

A person who is responsible for creating the idea or innovation and initiating the diffusion process.

Adopter

A person who accepts or receives the idea or innovation.

Expansion Diffusion

An idea/innovation develops in a hearth and remains strong there, while also spreading outwards (the idea/innovation moves, not the people)

3 types: contagious, hierarchical, stimulus

Contagious Diffusion

Diffusion where one person spreads an idea/innovation to multiple people and then those people spread it to multiple people, and so on, and so forth.

● Uniformly affects all individuals and areas outward

from the source

● Ex. respiratory diseases, viral Internet trends, breaking

news, coffee culture, etc.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of an idea/innovation from one key person or node of authority/power to other persons/places with less power/authority (from more influential to less influential)

● May affect only certain people or places

● Can also work in reverse (from less to more influential)

● Ex. fashion trends, phone trees, popular music, chains of command, etc.

Stimulus Diffusion

When something spreads but is changed by the people who adapt the idea/innovation

● A fundamental idea stimulates imitative behavior

● Ex. Franchise restaurants with international locations, “Italian” food, Tex-Mex, gang culture, etc.

Relocation Diffusion

The spread of an idea/innovation through the physical movement of people

● Not everyone along the path of advancement adopts the

innovation

● Ex. crops and farming techniques, architectural styles, concepts of government, religion, etc.

Globalization

The spread of businesses, products, people, and ideas around the world

-Ideas spread very quickly due to the internet and improved transportation technology

-Global popular culture overtaking local traditional culture

Distance Decay

The idea that the interaction between two places decrease as the distance between them increases

Time-Space Compression

The reduction of the time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place, as a result of improved communication technologies

Cultural Convergence

When two cultures become more similar the more that they interact

-Facilitated by high levels of communication, easy transport, trade, etc.

Cultural Divergence

Cultures become less alike over time due to physical and cultural barriers

Ex: The Amish became less like other Christian groups over time

Barriers to Diffusion

Physical, Cultural, Political Boundaries, Economic, Censorship

Historical Causes of Diffusion

Mass migrations, travel, colonization, ostracism, inter-group communication, and interactions among people