Arianna Brown
Block- 4
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Diffusion is the process by which a characteristic
spreads across space from one place to another over
time. (Spatial Interaction)
Today, ideas are diffused rapidly through to other areas
through sophisticated communications and
transportation networks.
People in multiple regions may develop or and adapt an
idea at the same time but in different ways.
Interaction in the contemporary world is complex as a
result of diffusion.
There are two general types of diffusion- expansion and
relocation.
◦ The spread of a feature or trend among people from
one area to another in a snowballing process… a way
that the number of those influenced grows
continuously larger, resulting in an expanding area od
adoption.
Spreads from one idea or trait to another
◦ Stays strong in the core or hearth
◦ Three processes:
Contagious Diffusion
Hierarchical Diffusion
Stimulus Diffusion
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The spread of an idea, trait, or concept through a group
of people or an area equally without regard to social
class, economic position, or power.
This form of diffusion is analogous to the spread of a
contagious disease, such as a flu epidemic.
Another example would be the rapid adoption
throughout the United States of AIDS prevention
methods and new medicines because people who have
access to the web throughout the world have access to
the same material at the same time.
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The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of
authority or power to other persons or places.
Urban areas to other urban areas and then spread to
surrounding areas.
May result from the spread of innovations from political
leaders, socially elite people, or other important
persons to others in the community.
Wealthy people to middle class to low class
Ideas may also come from a particular node or place or
power and diffuse later to isolated rural areas.
Hip-hop/ rap music
High-end fashion trends
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The spread of an underlying principal, even though the
new groups change your idea.
Involves the transfer of an underlying concept or idea,
without the specific accompanying traits due to some
cultural or other barrier to the movement of the idea.
Examples of other countries taking an idea and
changing it to fit their culture or lifestyle are:
McDonalds in India- “Maharaja Mac”
Variety of flavors of Coca Cola all around the world
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The spread of an idea through physical movement of
people from one place to another.
Gets weaker in the core or hearth
When people migrate from other regions of the world
they carry their culture, such as language, religion, and
ethnicity along with them.
The most common languages spoken in North America
and South America are Spanish, English, Portuguese,
and French mainly because Europeans who spoke those
languages compromised the largest number of
immigrants hundreds of years ago.