Which concept describes the spread of cultural traits between societies?

Which concept describes the spread of cultural traits between societies?

• A. Innovation
• B. Invention
• C. Cultural diffusion
• D. Cultural integration

Answer: (C)

Spread of cultural traits between societies is cultural diffusion. This idea describes how beliefs, practices, technologies, foods, languages, and other elements move from one culture to another through contact—such as trade, migration, media, or conquest—and are adopted or adapted by the receiving group. It focuses on transmission across cultures rather than creating something new within a single culture, which is why diffusion best fits the scenario. Innovation and invention involve making new things within a culture, not spreading existing ones to others, and cultural integration refers to cultures blending into a more unified system rather than the specific spread of traits across distinct societies.

Spread of cultural traits between societies is cultural diffusion. This idea describes how beliefs, practices, technologies, foods, languages, and other elements move from one culture to another through contact—such as trade, migration, media, or conquest—and are adopted or adapted by the receiving group. It focuses on transmission across cultures rather than creating something new within a single culture, which is why diffusion best fits the scenario. Innovation and invention involve making new things within a culture, not spreading existing ones to others, and cultural integration refers to cultures blending into a more unified system rather than the specific spread of traits across distinct societies.