Real World Examples of Expansion Diffusion: AP Human Geography

📚 Quick Study Guide

🌍 Expansion diffusion is the spread of a feature or trend among people from one area to another in a snowballing process. 🏘️ It occurs when an idea or innovation spreads outward from its origin while remaining strong in its original location. 📈 There are three main types of expansion diffusion:
• Hierarchical Diffusion: 👑 Spread from nodes of power (e.g., large cities) to smaller ones.
• Contagious Diffusion: 🦠 Rapid, widespread diffusion by direct contact.
• Stimulus Diffusion: 💡 Spread of an underlying principle, even if the characteristic itself fails to diffuse.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the best example of hierarchical diffusion?
   1. The spread of the flu through a school.
   2. The adoption of a new fashion trend starting in major fashion capitals like Paris and New York before spreading to smaller cities.
   3. The spread of organic farming practices.
   4. The increasing popularity of smartphones among all age groups.
2. The rapid spread of a viral video online is an example of what type of diffusion?
   1. Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Relocation Diffusion
   3. Contagious Diffusion
   4. Stimulus Diffusion
3. McDonald's adapting its menu to suit local tastes in India (e.g., offering vegetarian options) is an example of which type of diffusion?
   1. Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Contagious Diffusion
   3. Relocation Diffusion
   4. Stimulus Diffusion
4. The spread of Christianity from its hearth in the Middle East to other parts of the world primarily through missionary work is an example of:
   1. Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Contagious Diffusion
   3. Relocation Diffusion
   4. Stimulus Diffusion
5. A new technological innovation is first adopted by wealthy individuals and then later by the wider population. This is an example of:
   1. Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Contagious Diffusion
   3. Relocation Diffusion
   4. Hierarchical Diffusion
6. The use of the internet spreading from developed countries to developing countries is an example of:
   1. Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Contagious Diffusion
   3. Relocation Diffusion
   4. Stimulus Diffusion
7. The spread of the English language from England to the United States, Australia, and Canada via colonization is an example of:
   1. Hierarchical Diffusion
   2. Contagious Diffusion
   3. Relocation Diffusion
   4. Stimulus Diffusion