AP Human Geography - Diffusion Flashcards

Diffusion Overview

• Diffusion is the movement of people, goods, or ideas across space.
• Introduced by Carl Sauer.

Cultural Diffusion

• Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of an idea or innovation from its hearth to other locations.

Barriers to Diffusion

• Time/Distance Decay: Innovations are less likely to be adopted the further they are from their source and the longer it takes.
• Cultural Barriers: Certain practices or innovations may be unacceptable in specific cultures (e.g., pork, alcohol, contraceptives).
• Physical Barriers: Natural obstacles such as mountains or bodies of water can inhibit the adoption of ideas or innovations.

Types of Diffusion

• Two primary types: Expansion diffusion and Relocation diffusion.

Expansion Diffusion

• Expansion diffusion entails the spread of an innovation or idea, continuously affecting a growing number of people.
• Types include:
  • Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread of ideas through established structures, typically from those in power to others.
  • Contagious Diffusion: Equal spread of ideas within a population, regardless of social or economic status.
  • Stimulus Diffusion: Adoption of underlying principles without specific traits due to cultural obstacles.

Examples of Diffusion Types

• Hierarchical Diffusion: AIDS spread from urban areas to urban areas, skipping smaller towns.
• Contagious Diffusion: Walmart’s expansion across America exemplifies contagious diffusion.
• Stimulus Diffusion: The adaptation of McDonald’s menu in India to exclude beef to cater to cultural norms.

Relocation Diffusion

• Relocation diffusion involves the movement of individuals who carry cultural attributes to new locations.
• Migrant Diffusion: A type of relocation diffusion characterized by innovations that have initial strong adoption but are short-lived.

Cultural Concepts

• Acculturation: Process where smaller or weaker groups adopt traits from a dominant culture, while still retaining some original traits (e.g., Aztecs adopting Spanish culture).
• Assimilation: A more complete integration where cultural differences become indistinguishable (e.g., widespread wearing of jeans in various cultures).