Patterns of cultural diffusion: analyses of trait associations across societies by content and geographical proximity

Cross-Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 12 • Published In 1977 • Pages: 145-167 •

By Smith, Frank J., Crano, William D.

Abstract

This article suggests that societies are not passive receivers of traits, but rather that diffusion is purposive, sensitive to its environmental outcomes and thus influenced by trait content. Findings support this hypothesis.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Ethnographic Atlas Summary (EASum)

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
In Africa, there will be high nearest neighbor correlations for economic traits and moderate nearest neighbor correlations for sociopolitical traits (153).	Supported
There will be general consistency in associations between culture traits over diverse culture areas (154).	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Jessie Cohen Amelia Piazza

Patterns of cultural diffusion: analyses of trait associations across societies by content and geographical proximity

Cross-Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 12 • Published In 1977 • Pages: 145-167 • Cite

By Smith, Frank J., Crano, William D.

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (2)

Cross-Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 12 • Published In 1977 • Pages: 145-167 •