What is the Difference Between Diffusion and Acculturation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between diffusion and acculturation lies in the way cultural traits are adopted and integrated into different cultures.
Diffusion:
- Diffusion is a one-way process where cultural traits of a culture spread to another culture.
- It involves the copying of other's cultural traits.
- Factors influential in the process of diffusion include relations, transportation, need for desire for new traits, and competition with old traits.
- Diffusion can create culture change in groups adopting a culture of other groups, and borrowed cultural traits may get assimilated easily or cause changes.
- Obstacles in cultural diffusion include lack of transport and communication facilities, and geographical barriers such as oceans, rivers, mountains, and deserts.
Acculturation:
- Acculturation is a two-way process where two different cultures come in contact and bring about changes in each other's cultural practices.
- It is a process of systematic cultural transformation of individuals in a society due to the influence of another culture.
- Acculturation can result in the one-way process of the extinction of one culture when it is absorbed by the other, or it can be a reciprocal process where both cultures become more similar.
In summary, diffusion refers to the spread of cultural traits from one culture to another, while acculturation involves the systematic transformation of cultural practices due to the influence of another culture. Diffusion is a one-way process, whereas acculturation can be both one-way and two-way.
Comparative Table: Diffusion vs Acculturation
Here is a table comparing the differences between diffusion and acculturation:
| Diffusion | Acculturation |
|---|---|
| Cultural traits of a culture spread to another culture. | A culture completely transforms and becomes accustomed to the new cultural. |
| Involves the movement of ideas, customs, and other cultural elements between societies. | Occurs when a society comes into direct contact with another society, resulting in systematic cultural transformation of individuals. |
| Can make societies more diverse and bring them closer together. | May lead to the (usually partial) absorption of one culture by another, often due to aggressive contact between societies. |
| Can be reciprocal, with both cultures influencing each other. However, it is often asymmetrical, with one culture having a greater impact on the other. | Gradual process, rather than abrupt. |
| Studied in the field of anthropology. | Studied in the field of anthropology. |
| both terms are inter-related and are types of social change. | both terms are inter-related and are types of social change. |
In summary, diffusion refers to the spread of cultural traits between societies, while acculturation is the process of cultural transformation and adaptation that occurs when societies come into direct contact with one another. Both processes are inter-related and are studied in the field of anthropology.
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- Perfusion vs Diffusion
- Culture vs Diversity
- Diffusion vs Effusion
- Acclimation vs Adaptation
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- Convection vs Diffusion
- Self Diffusion vs Interdiffusion
- Ethnicity vs Culture
- Adaptation vs Acclimatization
- Diffusion vs Osmosis
- Diversity vs Multiculturalism
- Adoption vs Adaptation
- Active vs Passive Diffusion
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