Anthropology Practice Test 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

Cultural diffusion refers to the process by which cultural traits, ideas, practices, and technologies spread from one group to another. This typically occurs through various means such as trade, migration, or communication, where cultural elements are shared and adopted by different societies.

The choice that accurately captures this concept focuses on the adoption of cultural traits from one group to another, highlighting the dynamic and interconnected nature of cultures. This process is essential in anthropology as it explains how cultures evolve, adapt, and influence one another over time, leading to a richer and more diverse cultural landscape.

In contrast, the other options describe different phenomena. The isolation of cultural groups refers to situations where cultures do not interact, which would limit the potential for diffusion. The complete loss of indigenous cultures suggests a scenario where cultural traits are eradicated rather than exchanged, and the creation of entirely new cultural practices implies an innovative process that may not necessarily involve the sharing or adoption of existing traits. Thus, the concept of cultural diffusion is best summarized by the adoption of cultural traits from one group to another, illustrating how cultures can merge and transform through interaction.