Cultural Diffusion

Contagious Diffusion

Idea based on person to person contact within a given population.

Expansion Diffusion

Idea that develops in an area and remains strong there while also spreading to other areas.

Relocation Diffusion

Idea that develops in an area but moves to different places, leaving behind its origin.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Idea that moves from larger to smaller places without regard to the distance between places.

Example of Expansion Diffusion

McDonald's

Example of Hierarchical Diffusion

Missionaries who try to convert for the sake of religion.

Example of Relocation Diffusion

Native Americans removed from their land and relocated.

Cultural Diffusion

Spread of ideas, styles, religions, technologies, foods, and languages within a single culture or throughout different cultures.

Example of Contagious Diffusion

When Muhammad started the spread of Islam through word of mouth.