Types of Diffusion and Their Historical Causes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to diffusion, cultural patterns, and processes as outlined in the course material.

expansion diffusion

The spread of a feature or trend among people from one area to another in an additive process.

contagious diffusion

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population, often exemplified by the spread of diseases.

hierarchical diffusion

The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority to other persons or places.

stimulus diffusion

The spread of an underlying principle even though a specific characteristic is rejected.

relocation diffusion

The spread of culture through the physical movement of people to a new location.

pidgin language

A simplified form of speech formed from two or more languages, used for communication between people not sharing a common language.

creole language

A stable, fully developed natural language that has evolved from a pidgin.

creolization

The process by which new languages and cultures emerge from contact and mixing.

lingua franca

A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

colonialism

The practice of acquiring control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.

time-space convergence

The idea that technological advancements can reduce the impact of distance on human interactions.

endangered languages

Languages that are at risk of falling out of use as their speakers die out or shift to speaking another language.

extinct languages

Languages that no longer have any speakers.

revived language

A language that has been brought back into common use, often after being considered dead.

cultural convergence

The phenomenon where different cultures become more alike through contact and exchange.

cultural divergence

The process of a culture separating and becoming distinct from another culture.

culture hearth

The area where a unique culture or a specific trait develops and spreads.

language family

A group of languages that have a common origin.

language branch

A sub-category of a language family, composed of languages that are more closely related.

dialect

A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

isogloss

A boundary that separates regions in which different language usages predominate.

isolated language

A language that is unrelated to any other language and not part of a language family.

monotheistic religion

A religion that believes in one God.

universalizing religion

A religion that seeks to convert others and spread its beliefs globally.

ethnic religion

A religion associated with a particular ethnic group, not actively seeking converts.

toponym

The name of a place or geographic feature.

polytheistic religion

A religion that believes in multiple gods.

animistic religion

A belief system that holds that spirits inhabit natural objects and the environment.

acculturation

The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group through direct contact.

assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups of different heritage come to accept and become part of a dominant culture.

transculturation

The merging and converging of cultures, leading to new cultural blends.

syncretism

The combination of different beliefs and practices into a new, cohesive system.