3.5 Historical Causes of Cultural Patterns

Culture spreads through diffusion

Cultural patterns form as traits spread across space and through time via diffusion. Relocation diffusion occurs when migrants physically carry culture to a new place (e.g., colonizers, refugees). Expansion diffusion spreads ideas outward without people moving away, including contagious, hierarchical, and stimulus diffusion, each shaping distinct regional cultural landscapes.

Types of expansion diffusion

Contagious diffusion spreads rapidly through a population like a disease, regardless of status (e.g., viral trends). Hierarchical diffusion moves from larger/more influential places or people down to smaller ones (e.g., fashion from cities to towns). Stimulus diffusion spreads the underlying idea, which is then adapted locally, even if the specific practice doesn't transfer directly.

History shapes cultural landscapes

Historical events like colonialism, imperialism, migration, and trade routes left lasting imprints on language, religion, architecture, and place names. For example, European colonialism spread languages like Spanish and English globally, while the Silk Road diffused religions and technologies across Asia and Europe, creating hybrid, layered cultural landscapes still visible today.

Key terms

Relocation diffusion

The spread of culture through the physical movement of people from one place to another.

Contagious diffusion

Rapid, widespread spread of a cultural trait through a population, regardless of status, like a disease.

Hierarchical diffusion

Spread of ideas from larger or more influential people/places down to smaller ones.

Stimulus diffusion

The spread of an underlying idea or concept, which is then adapted locally rather than copied directly.

Colonialism's cultural impact

Spread of colonizers' languages, religions, and borders, creating lasting hybrid cultural landscapes in colonized regions.

Try an AP-style question

Why is English spoken widely around the world?

1. It is the oldest language
2. It is the easiest language
3. British colonialism and trade
4. It was chosen by the UN