3 Ways Cultures Change (Or Resist Change)

Cultural Convergence When a cultural element is transmitted across some distance from one group to another. Examples: The expansion of rap music and slang from urban areas to suburban/rural areas, the Spanish language and the Catholic Church in Latin America.

Cultural Divergence The restriction of an element of culture from outside influences. Can be negative, positive or neutral. Examples: Government censorship, traditional Amish restrictions on technology, communes.

Ethnocentrism The tendency to look at the world exclusively from the perspective of one’s own culture. The belief that one's own race, country or ethnic group is the most important and/or superior to those of other groups.