Cultural diffusion

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Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of ideas and material culture, especially if this diffusion occurs independently of population movement.

Many archaeologists prefer cultural diffusion as an explanation for the spread of ideas and culture in the past, as opposed to theories based on the migration of peoples.

Anthropologists view diffusion as the "borrowing of traits between cultures."

Dictionary.com defines cultural diffusion as: "in anthropology, the process by which a cultural trait, material object, idea, or behavior pattern is spread from one society to another; also called diffusion"

Since cultures have never been completely isolated from each other, diffusion has happened throughout history, and continues on today.

There are three different forms of cultural diffusion:

Direct diffusion is when two cultures are very close to each other, resulting in intermarriage, trade, and even warfare. An example of direct diffusion is between the United States and Canada, where the people living on the border of these two countries engage in hockey, which started in Canada, and baseball, which is big in American culture
Forced diffusion occurs when one culture subjugates (conquers or enslaves) another culture and forces its own customs on the conquered people. An example would be the conquistadors that took over the indgenous population and made them practice the Christianity.
Indirect diffusion happens when traits are passed from one culture through a middleman to another culture, without the first and final cultures ever being in direct contact. An example could be the presence of Mexican food in Canada, since they have a huge country in between them.

Direct diffusion is very common in ancient times, when small groups, or bands, of humans lived in adjoining settlements. Indirect diffusion is very common in today's world, because of the mass media and the invention of the internet.

Cultural diffusion is a mechanism of cultural change. Other mechanisms include acculturation and independent invention.

(Window on Humanity by Conrad Phillip Kottak)