Unit 1 (Geography Basics)
Spatial Interaction and Diffusion
AP Human Geography
Mr. Montgomery
SPATIAL INTERACTION
Human geographers study connections between places and regions.
Technological advances have allowed connections at a more rapid pace, and SPACE TIME COMPRESSION
is the term geographers use to describe the increased speed with which a thing can move from one place
to another. Space time compression promotes rapid change
SPATIAL INTERACTION is when two places are connected to each other through migration, transportation
or communication networks.
The DISTANCE DECAY THEORY states that as distance increases between two places, the interaction
between them decreases. Modern technology has greatly reduced the impact of distance decay.
DIFFUSION
Diffusion is the process by which a characteristic spreads across space from one place to another over
time. Diffusion of characteristics creates spatial interaction.
The HEARTH (or node) is the place in which the characteristic originates and from which it diffuses to
other places.
There are two basic types of diffusion: relocation and expansion.
RELOCATION DIFFUSION
DEFINITION
1. The spread of an idea through physical movement of people from one place to another.
EXAMPLES
Spread of AIDS from one region to another
Initial spread of agricultural revolution
Spread of religion through missionaries or merchant tradesmen
EXPANSION DIFFUSION
DEFINITION
1. The spread of a feature from one place to another in a snowballing process.
TYPES
1.
HIERARCHICAL DIFFUSION
a. Definition: The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority/power
(political leaders, social elite, celebrities, educators, etc.) to other persons and
places.
b.
Examples: Constantine adopting Christianity , Randy Tucker’s Pledge of Allegiance, Congressional mandate to end analog TV broadcasts
2.
CONTAGIOUS DIFFUSION
a. Definition: the rapid, widespread characteristic of a characteristic throughout
the population without the influence of an authority/power figure.
b.
Examples: spread of contagious disease (from one person to another), viral
videos, fads