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Expansion Diffusion

Definition

This is a type of cultural diffusion where an idea or innovation spreads outward from its origin, remaining strong there while also spreading to other areas.

Analogy

Imagine expansion diffusion as a viral video on social media. It starts with one person posting it (origin), then it gets shared and liked by others, spreading outwards but still being popular at the source.

Related terms

Contagious Diffusion: A form of expansion diffusion in which nearly all adjacent individuals are affected.

Stimulus Diffusion: A form of expansion diffusion in which the basic idea, though not the specific trait itself, stimulates imitative behavior within a population.

Innovation Adoption: A model that classifies adopters of innovations into various categories based on the idea that certain individuals are inevitably more open to adaptation than others.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.