DiffusionMs. Patten

2012

Definition Cultural Diffusion is a process by which

a cultural characteristic spreads across space from one place to another over time.

Idea, technology, custom, product, cultural traits, diseases

Types of DiffusionExpansion

Contagious

Hierarchical

Stimulus

Relocation

Expansion Diffusion An innovation or idea develops in a source

area and remains strong there while also spreading outward

Item remains at the hearth Number of users or practicers grows

Expansion: Hierarchical Spreads through certain vulnerable

segments of a population Large urban areas vs rural areas

Chart of US AIDS deaths from 1998 to 2002.

Expansion: Contagious nearly all adjacent individuals are affected

Expansion: Stimulus the idea stimulates experimentation and

adaptation of the original animals for farming

Relocation Diffusion An innovation or idea is spread through

physical movement of people from one place to another

Number of users stays the same Idea moves with the people

Casserole vs hot dish (Wisconsin/Minnesota)