AP Human Geography - Diffusion Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is diffusion?

The movement of people, goods, or ideas across space.

Who discovered/invented diffusion?

Carl Sauer

What is cultural diffusion?

The spread of an idea or innovation from its hearth to other places.

What are the barriers to diffusion?

Time/Distance Decay, Cultural Barriers, Physical Barriers Signup and view all the answers

What is Time/Distance Decay?

Further from the source and more time it takes, the less likely innovation is adopted. Signup and view all the answers

What are Cultural Barriers?

Some practices, ideas, or innovations are not acceptable/adopted in particular cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What are Physical Barriers?

Physical barriers on the surface may prohibit/inhibit adoption. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of diffusion?

Expansion, Relocation Signup and view all the answers

What is Expansion diffusion?

The spread of an innovation so that the number of people affected by that innovation grows continuously. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of Expansion diffusion?

Hierarchical, contagious, and stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is Hierarchical diffusion?

A type of expansion diffusion that is the spread of an idea through an established structure usually from people or areas of power down to other people or areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Hierarchical diffusion?

AIDS has a historically distinctive diffusion pattern of urban to urban as it skips over the smaller cities. Signup and view all the answers

What is Contagious diffusion?

The spread of an idea/trait/concept through a group of people or an area equally without regard to social class, economic position, or position of power. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Contagious diffusion?

The spread of Wal-Mart's throughout America. Signup and view all the answers

What is Stimulus diffusion?

The spread of an underlying principle but without its particular traits due to cultural or other barriers to the movement of the ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Stimulus diffusion?

McDonald's spread to India; however, Indian Hindus do not eat beef. Indian McDonald's serve veggie burgers which is culturally acceptable. Signup and view all the answers

What is Relocation diffusion?

The actual movement of the original adopters from their point of origin, or hearth, and take their cultural attributes with them to a new place. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of Relocation diffusion?

Migrant diffusion Signup and view all the answers

What is Migrant diffusion?

When an innovation originates and enjoys strong, but brief, adoption there. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Hierarchical diffusion?

BlackBerry's, though becoming cheaper, are too expensive for most customers to buy. Signup and view all the answers

What is Acculturation?

When smaller/weaker groups take on traits of the larger culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Acculturation?

The Aztecs became part of the Spanish culture, but some Aztec traits remained and became Spanish culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is Assimilation?

The adoption of cultural elements becoming so complete that two cultures become indistinguishable. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Assimilation?

Jeans are being worn here and in the Czech Republic. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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).

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Description

Test your knowledge on diffusion concepts in AP Human Geography with these flashcards. Learn about the definition of diffusion, its inventor Carl Sauer, cultural diffusion, and the barriers that affect it. Perfect for students preparing for their exams.