Types of Diffusion

reverse hierarchical diffusion

an idea spreading from bottom to top or rural area to big city

expansion diffusion

ideas spread and the number of people knowing expand

stimulus diffusion

when the spread of one idea begins the spread of a new idea (when a fast food restaurant changes he type of food they serve depending on what country they are in)

spatial diffusion

movement of phenomena (a trend) such as an innovation, information, or an epidemic across an area and over time; can happen very slowly or quickly

absorbing barriers

physical, legal, or other obstacles that stop diffusion

contagious diffusion

spread of a characteristic through a group of people (common cold or other sickness)

relocation diffusion

spread of an idea through the physical movement of people (migration)

hierarchical diffusion

spreads through rank order (top to bottom, big cities to rural areas)