Expansion diffusion is a type of cultural diffusion, a phenomenon in which a cultural trait or technology spreads from one group of people to another. There are three main forms of expansion diffusion: contagious diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, and stimulus diffusion. Below, we’ll take a look at each type and give examples of how they work.

Contagious Diffusion

Contagious diffusion, also known as “wave” diffusion, is the rapid and widespread spread of a cultural trait from one area to another. Examples of contagious diffusion include the spread of the Harlem Shake and the spread of Taylor Swift’s hairstyle. In both cases, these cultural traits spread quickly throughout a large geographic area, demonstrating the power of contagious diffusion.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Hierarchical diffusion, also known as “hierarchal” diffusion, is the spread of a cultural trait along distinct social or political lines. A prime example of hierarchical diffusion is the spread of the Roman Empire’s cultural traits throughout Europe. As the Roman Empire spread, its culture and technology spread with it, spreading throughout the regions it conquered.

Stimulus Diffusion

Stimulus diffusion, also known as “relocation diffusion,” is the spread of ideas from one culture to another without any major transmission of the original culture itself. An example of stimulus diffusion is the spread of McDonald’s menu items to different countries. While McDonald’s menu items have spread to different countries, the company itself has not spread with it.

In conclusion, these are the three main forms of expansion diffusion: contagious diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, and stimulus diffusion. Each diffusion type has its own unique characteristics and examples, demonstrating the power of cultural diffusion in our world today.