What is the term for the spread of ideas or products from one culture to another?

The term that describes the spread of ideas or products from one culture to another is cultural diffusion. This concept highlights how cultural elements, such as beliefs, practices, technologies, and goods, can transcend cultural boundaries and influence other societies. Cultural diffusion can occur through various means, such as trade, migration, or communication, allowing different cultures to learn from each other and adopt new practices.

Cultural assimilation refers to the process where a minority culture adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture, often losing its original cultural identity in the process. Social integration involves the merging of different social groups within a society, which can include cultural elements but is broader and does not specifically focus on the spread of ideas or products. Behavioral adaptation refers to the ways individuals or groups adjust their behavior in response to changes in their environment, which is different from the broader concept of how cultures can influence one another through diffusion.