Faculty Publications

Dynamic Social Impact: A Theory of the Origins and Evolution of Culture

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Social and Personality Psychology Compass

Volume

1

Issue

1

First Page

521

Last Page

540

Abstract

Dynamic social impact theory suggests that culture is created and shaped by local social influence as defined by four phenomena: (i) clustering, or regional differences in cultural elements; (ii) correlation, or emergent associations between elements; (iii) consolidation, or a reduction in variance; and (iv) continuing diversity. This article describes dynamic social impact theory and its propositions and reviews research supporting its predictions using a variety of methodologies and several types of cultural elements. This research suggests that cultures can be created and changed from the bottom-up through everyday communication with neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Attributes that are more important, observable, and demonstrable and less heritable may be more likely to spread and differentiate cultures than others.

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

11-20-2007

DOI of published version

10.1111/j.1751-9004.2007.00022.x

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