What is the Difference Between Expansion Diffusion and Contagious Diffusion

The main difference between expansion diffusion and contagious diffusion is that in expansion diffusion, a trend spreads to other locations from its originating location, whereas in contagious diffusion, a trend transmits from person to person from an original source to numerous others.

Expansion diffusion and contagious diffusion are two ways in which cultural diffusion occurs. Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural beliefs, practices, items, etc. from one group of people to another. Moreover, expansion diffusion occurs in several ways, and contagious diffusion is one of them.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Expansion Diffusion 
     – Definition, Types
2. What is Contagious Diffusion
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Relationship Between Expansion Diffusion and Contagious Diffusion
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Expansion Diffusion and Contagious Diffusion
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Contagious Diffusion, Cultural Diffusion, Expansion Diffusion, Hierachail Diffusion, Stimulus Diffusion

What is Expansion Diffusion

Expansion diffusion occurs when a trend or idea spreads from its original source, outwards. It rapidly spreads through a population, and the amount of those influenced by the trend grows continuously larger. There are three types of expansion diffusion: stimulus diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, and contagious diffusion.

Hierarchical Diffusion

This is the type of diffusion that occurs when a concept or trend spreads from a  place or person of power or high susceptibility to another in hierarchical order. In other words, the trend first spreads among influential or powerful individuals in society and then spreads to other individuals. For instance, think of a chain of command in a business. Fashion trends and music spreading first in urban areas or among a certain class of people before gaining popularity in the wider public is an example of hierarchical diffusion.

Stimulus Diffusion

In stimulus diffusion, a trend or innovative idea diffuses from its hearth to outward locations, but the trend is changed by its new adopters.  In other words, this diffusion occurs when the trend spreads to a new location and changes in its new location or context. For example, McDonald’s food chain serving different menus in different countries around the world.

The third type of expansion diffusion is contagious diffusion, which is explained below.

What is Contagious Diffusion

Contagious diffusion is a type of diffusion where a trend or idea spreads based on person-to-person contact within a given population. This occurs when places or people near the point of origin (origin of trend/idea) adopt this trend. The main characteristic of contagious diffusion is that it spreads from person to person. This is a rapid spread, like a contagious disease or a forest fire.

Figure 1: Spread of Mahayana Buddhism

The spread of religions is an example of contagious diffusion. For example, the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout the Indian subcontinent. Furthermore, in the modern world, innovations like social networking and various media platforms have increased the pace of contagious diffusion. For example, when videos or songs go viral, you can observe a contagious diffusion, like a wildfire.

Relationship Between Expansion Diffusion and Contagious Diffusion

• Expansion diffusion and contagious diffusion are two types of cultural diffusions.
• Moreover, contagious diffusion is a type of expansion diffusion.

Difference Between Expansion Diffusion and Contagious Diffusion

Definition

Expansion diffusion is a type of diffusion that occurs when a trend or idea spreads from its original source, outwards, while contagious diffusion is a type of diffusion where a trend or idea spreads based on person-to-person contact within a given population.

Diffusion

In expansion diffusion, a trend spreads to other locations from its originating location, whereas in contagious diffusion, a trend transmits from person to person from an original source to numerous others.

Conclusion

Expansion diffusion is a type of diffusion that occurs when a trend or idea spreads from its original source, outwards. Contagious diffusion, on the other hand, is a type of diffusion where a trend or idea spreads based on person-to-person contact within a given population. Thus, this is the main difference between expansion diffusion and contagious diffusion. Basically, contagious diffusion is a type of expansion diffusion.

Reference:

1. “Trans-Cultural Diffusion.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Apr. 2020, Available here.
2. Serva, Christine. “Cultural Diffusion: Definition, Expansion & Popular Cultures.” Study.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “MahayanaMap” – World Imaging assumed  – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia