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SCOTT A. DESMONDDIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION
See Crime, Theories of; Deviance Theories.DIFFUSION THEORIES
The concept of diffusion inherently focuses upon
process. Diffusion refers to the dissemination of
any physical element, idea, value, social practice,
or attitude through and between populations. Dif-
fusion is among the rare concepts used across the
physical, natural, and social sciences, as well as in
the arts. Diffusion is most closely associated with
the social sciences, particularly rural sociology,
anthropology, and communication. Diffusion think-
ing offers a logic through which to describe and
perhaps explain myriad types of change that in-
volve equally diverse foci, ranging from the adop-
tion of internet technology (Adams 1997), to the
spread of belief systems (Dean 1997).
Work connected to the concept of diffusion is
arguably structured as theory. Certainly there is no