Chapter 1.2: Cultural diffusion

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

1.2 Cultural diffusion

ONLY 20 minutes of talking, I PROMISE!!

A McDonald's restaurant in Japan, an example of cultural diffusion.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural elements is called cultural diffusion. 

• Examples: Food (Italian pizza), music from other countries and language (tto!)
• Cultures can influence each other and change.

What city is this?

Cultural diffusion in the past: This picture was not taken in Rome, but in El Djem, Tunisia.

Causes of cultural diffusion

- trade relations

- migration

- tourism

- media

Cultural homogenisation

Since World War II, North American culture has become more and more dominant around the world. This is called Americanisation. 

Our world is now more interconnected than ever. We call this globalisation.

When cultures adopt more cultural elements from each other, they become more and more similar. This process is called cultural homogenisation.

Cultural heterogenisation

Globalisation can also lead to a revaluation of a culture:

• People could get more aware of their own culture
• They appreciate more of what they have and so express certain cultural elements more. 
• Cultures would become less similar > cultural heterogenisation.

To do:

Chapter 1.2: exercises 1 to 7E. 

7E is the conversation exercise!!

Interested? Have a look in the book... 

Globalisation is the international exchange of money, goods, people and...

1. information
2. animals
3. freight
4. internet

What are the causes of cultural diffusion?

1. Migration and trade
2. Spread of diseases
3. Closed borders
4. none of these

What is cultural diffusion?

1. Cultural diffusion is when people refuse other people's culture
2. Cultural diffusion describe a homogenous culture, with one dominant culture
3. Cultural diffusion describes a persons culture
4. Cultural diffusion describes the spread of one culture's practices, beliefs, and/or items, like food, music, or tools