What is diffusion?Diffusion is the spread of cultural aspects, beliefs, ideas, and trends from one group to another, which makes the world more culturally

diverse. There are four different types of diffusion: contagious, stimulus,

hierarchical, and relocation.

Contagious DiffusionContagious diffusion is the widespread diffusion of a

cultural characteristic or trend throughout the population. It begins with one person or place, and then spreads to

another, which spreads it to another and so on.

Contagious diffusion begins at a certainplace, which is called the hearth. From there,it spreads to the rest of the population, whowill continue to spread it, similar to the way a disease would be spread.

• Diseases- A disease usually starts with one person, who will spread it

to other people, who spread it to even more people. For example, pretend someone came to school carrying the flu. They spread would it to their friends and family, who also spread it to their friends and family, and so on.• Religion

- A good example through the contagiousdiffusion of a religion is the spread ofBuddhism around the late 500s (B.C).It began in India (the hearth), but laterspread to places like Korea, Japan,and the Philippines. When people traveledor traded, they would spread their ideas,beliefs, and culture to the people of other places and other

cultures.• Trends

- An example of trends spreading was the popularity of Silly Bands a

few years ago. When someone started wearing them, another kid would see them and think they looked cool. Another kid would see that kid wearing them, and the cycle would repeat.

Examples of Contagious Diffusion

Stimulus DiffusionStimulus diffusion is the spread of an underlying principle, even though a characteristic itself fails to diffuse.

The specific trait may be rejected for cultural reasons, but the underlying concept or principle is still accepted or changed.

Examples of Stimulus Diffusion• McDonald’s is a company that has locations inpretty much every part of the world. However, insome regions of the world, the regions’ cultureconflicts with their menu. For example, themajority of India’s population is Hindu. Most of theitems on the McDonald’s menu contain beef,however, cows are considered holy in Hinduism.So, most of the meat items on the McDonald’smenu were replaced with vegetarian alternatives.

• Stimulus diffusion also occurs with beliefs. For example, a culture may have a unique general opinion or belief. Their belief, a religion for example, may spread in a way similar to contagious diffusion, however, not everyone in the regions it spreads to will agree with that belief. They might agree with the basic principles and concepts of the belief, but not all of it.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Hierarchical diffusion is the spread of an idea or trend that starts with a person or node of authority, such as a socially elite person, a

political leader, or a celebrity.

• MusicAn example of hierarchical diffusion of music

would be the spread of rap or hip-hop. It began in lower- income urban areas, and then later spread out into other areas and became more popular. In this case, the urban area rap began in would be the node.

• Fashion TrendsOne way fashion trends could diffuse is

through a celebrity. For example, one person may see a celebrity wearing a certain product or a certain brand, which then might make that person want that specific thing because the celebrity has it.

Examples of Hierarchical Diffusion

Relocation DiffusionRelocation diffusion is the spread of an idea through the physical movement of people

from one place to another.

• DiseasesAn example of a disease spreading through relocation diffusion is the spread of A.I.D.S if

there were an outbreak in a particular area, and a person infected with it moves to another area and continues to spread it there.

• Language and CultureOne example of language and culture

spreading from relocation is the settling of north and south America by European countries. For example, the east coast of the U.S was settled mainly by English explorers, so their language dominated the region and still does today.

Examples of Relocation Diffusion