Why are different places similar? Diffusion Why are different places similar?

Objectives Today we will be able to analyze the main types of diffusion to gain a better sense of why different places around the world share similar characteristics.

Diffusion Defined The process by which a characteristic spreads across space from one place to another over time. Origination location of an innovation is called the hearth Technology influences speed of diffusion from hearth Example – Cultural, political and economic features of the US traced back to hearths in Europe and the Middle East

Relocation Diffusion The spread of an idea through physical movement of people from one place to another. When people move, they carry culture with them. Language in the Americas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gIhRkCcD4U

Expansion Diffusion The spread of a feature from one place to another in a snowballing process. Three types of expansion diffusion Hierarchical diffusion Contagious diffusion Stimulus diffusion

Hierarchical Diffusion The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places. Ideas spread from political leaders, the social elite, etc.. Ideas spread from nodes of power, such as large urban centers to rural communities Hip-hop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOacUWjHgiE

Contagious Diffusion The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout the population. When innovations spread like a disease; very fast without regard to hierarchy or the permanent relocation of people Example – Ideas stemming from the world wide web… when things go viral.

Stimulus Diffusion The spread of an underlying principle of something even though a characteristic itself apparently fails to diffuse. The computer mouse Fast food in other countries

Economic and Cultural Diffusion The spread of economic systems and culture from nodes or hearths of origin to other regions. Spread rapidly through tech advances Three hearths: North America, Western Europe, and Japan to the “periphery”

Diffusion Buzzfeed!!! http://www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/45-mcdonalds-items-not-available-in-the-us-that#.crNBBq0kb