Overview
Diffusionism and evolutionism are two important theories in anthropology that explain how cultures develop and change over time. Diffusionism focuses on how cultural traits spread from one society to another, emphasizing the role of interaction and exchange. In contrast, evolutionism suggests that s...
Key Terms
Example: The adoption of agricultural practices from one region to another.
Example: The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies.
Example: Judging another culture's practices based on one's own cultural norms.
Example: Studying marriage customs across various societies.
Example: The influence of technology on communication practices.
Example: The movement of Europeans to the Americas in the 16th century.
Related Topics
Cultural Anthropology
The study of cultural variation among humans.
intermediateHistorical Sociology
The study of social structures and changes over time.
intermediateGlobalization
The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence.
intermediateCultural Relativism
The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of another culture.
intermediateKey Concepts
Cultural DiffusionSocial EvolutionCultural ChangeComparative Method