DIFFUSIONISM
Historical background
As a reaction against classical evolutionism
Interpretative strategy which is woven around the idea of diffusion came to be known as diffusionism, whereas diffusion refers to the process of cultural borrowing or cultural give and take.
basic premises
in-equal inventiveness
Factors responsible for spread of invention
diffusion of cultural traits/institutions/whole culture
people move from one place to another place in search of fertile plains to escape natural calamities, historical events eg - war , pilgrimage or simple because of reduction in carrying capacity and increase in population
process of cultural diffusion
active = lending of cultural traits and passive diffusion = receiving end
direct = acculturation and indirect diffusion direct diffusion eg - English and Indian , Japanese and Korean , american and red Indians , white Australians and Australian aborigines
symmetric = equal contribution by each culture and asymmetric diffusion = unequal contribution by each culture
Fate of diffused traits , culture will adopt the traits which it finds meaningful economically and socially
cultural synchronization , but adopts only after modification and society also adapts itself to the incoming traits
Summary rejection
traits accepted as it is
contra-acculturation = people get frustrated due to cultural contact or due to complete change in their original culture , they revolt against the imposed culture eg - naga against Britishers
crtisicm as a whole school
make distinction b/wn classical - conjecturalism and neo diffusionism - no conjecturalism