Blog Post #13 - Cultural Diffusion

October 21st, 2019

Cultural Diffusion

          Cultural diffusion is the process of cultural aspects expanding from one region to another. The 5 major types of cultural diffusion are expansion diffusion, relocation diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, contagious diffusion, and stimulus diffusion. Expansion diffusion is an idea that develops in a certain area and spreads to other areas. Hierarchical, stimulus, and contagious diffusion can also have the same effect. Relocation diffusion is an idea that spreads to another area but leaves its own special cultural trait behind. Hierarchical diffusion is an idea that spreads by moving from larger to smaller places. Contagious diffusion is an idea that spreads from person-to-person contact. Stimulus diffusion is an idea that spreads based on its attachments to other concepts. The Columbian Exchange was the extensive transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. The Columbian Exchange is a great example of Cultural Diffusion. Some modern examples of cultural diffusion include fast-food restaurants like McDonald's or Chic Fil A, sports like baseball, and social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram.