AP HUG Unit 3.4

What is cultural diffusion?

The process by which a cultural trait spreads from one place to another.

What is a cultural hearth?

The place where a cultural trait originates and begins spreading to other locations.

What kinds of cultural traits can diffuse?

Language religion food clothing technology agricultural practices music and other cultural ideas and behaviors.

What are the two major types of cultural diffusion?

Relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion.

What is relocation diffusion?

The spread of cultural traits when people physically migrate and carry those traits to a new location.

What is an example of relocation diffusion?

European colonists brought Catholicism to Latin America through migration and colonization.

How did French spread to Quebec?

French settlers migrated to Quebec and brought their language with them through relocation diffusion.

What is expansion diffusion?

The spread of a cultural trait outward from its hearth while the trait remains strong in its original location and the original population does not have to migrate.

What are the three types of expansion diffusion?

Contagious diffusion hierarchical diffusion and stimulus diffusion.

What is contagious diffusion?

The rapid spread of a cultural trait through direct contact or person-to-person transmission without regard to social hierarchy.

What is an example of contagious diffusion?

Slang memes and trends spreading rapidly from person to person through social media.

How did agricultural innovations historically spread through contagious diffusion?

New techniques and technologies often spread directly from farmer to farmer.

How has the internet affected contagious diffusion?

It allows traits to spread rapidly from person to person even when people are geographically far apart.

What is hierarchical diffusion?

The spread of a cultural trait from influential or powerful people or places to other people or places.

What factors can create a hierarchy in hierarchical diffusion?

Power wealth social status political authority or cultural influence.

What is an example of hierarchical diffusion through popular culture?

Celebrity hairstyles or fashion trends spreading from influential celebrities to their fans.

How can agricultural technology spread hierarchically?

Expensive new technology may first be adopted by wealthy farmers before becoming cheaper and spreading to other farmers.

How does the Peace of Augsburg demonstrate hierarchical diffusion?

Regional rulers chose Catholicism or Lutheranism and their religious choice spread downward to the populations they governed.

What is stimulus diffusion?

The spread of the underlying idea of a cultural trait when the receiving culture modifies the trait to fit its own culture.

How is stimulus diffusion different from other forms of expansion diffusion?

The original idea spreads but its specific cultural form changes.

How is yoga an example of stimulus diffusion?

Yoga spread from South Asia but in many places its religious meaning was reduced while its physical practices were retained.

How is McDonald's in India an example of stimulus diffusion?

The concept of fast food was adopted but menus were modified to fit Indian cultural and religious preferences including alternatives to beef.

What is the main difference between relocation and expansion diffusion?

Relocation diffusion involves people physically moving while expansion diffusion spreads the cultural trait without requiring population relocation.

What is the main difference between contagious and hierarchical diffusion?

Contagious diffusion spreads broadly from person to person while hierarchical diffusion spreads through people or places with greater influence or power.

What is the easiest way to recognize stimulus diffusion?

Look for an outside cultural idea that has been adopted but modified to fit local culture.

How does modern technology affect cultural diffusion?

Transportation the internet and social media allow cultural traits to spread faster and across greater distances.

How does cultural diffusion relate to time-space convergence?

Improved transportation and communication reduce the effective distance between places and allow cultural traits to spread more quickly.

How does cultural diffusion relate to distance decay?

Modern transportation and communication weaken distance decay by allowing interaction and cultural diffusion across greater distances.