Contemporary Effects of Diffusion

2 major effects or results of these various processes of diffusion:

cultural convergence and cultural divergence

Cultural convergence

When two or more cultures interact, they adopt one another's cultural traits and ideas.

Example of cultural convergence

World sports, social media, languages, and selfies

Convergence Hypothesis

Global Culture replacing indigenous culture

Some chose to fight globalization by rejecting certain aspects and absorbing into local culture. Why?

Because people hypothesize globalization will be the loss of diverse cultures

Cultural Divergence

Cultures become less alike due to cultural & physical barriers

May intentionally restrict contact with others to maintain traditions

Cultural Divergence

the large Amish population of the American Northeast has been exposed to all the new technologies we've already mentioned. But instead of adopting them and surrendering the cultural traits that make them unique, they have rejected those technologies in order to uphold their own cultural traditions.

Example of Cultural Divergence

Split of India into Muslim & Hindu territories

Cultural Divergence

Assimilation

people lose their original traits when they join a new culture

Voluntary Assimilation

Migrants may intentionally adopt new languages, eat native food, etc

Forced Assimilation

Minority groups are forced to assimilate into the dominant culture

Native American boarding schools in the U.S.

Forced Assimilation

Acculturation

A minority group adopts traits from a dominant group in order to function well in society

Multiculturalism

Co-existence of several cultures in a society, but cultures maintain their own identity

Cities with diverse populations, multiple languages

multicultralism

Syncretism

the blending of beliefs, ideas, practices, and traits, especially in a religious context

Sikhism is a blend of Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism

example of Syncretism

Ethnocentrism

Cultures believe that their views and beliefs are superior to others

Nativism

Supporting the needs of native-born residents over immigrants

Xenophobia

desire to maintain cultural purity