What term describes the spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one culture to another?

The term that best describes the spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one culture to another is cultural diffusion. This phenomenon occurs when elements from one culture are adopted and adapted by another, leading to a broadening of experiences, practices, and perspectives within the receiving culture. Cultural diffusion can happen through various means, including trade, migration, or communication, and plays a crucial role in the evolution and diversity of societies.

Cultural assimilation refers to the process where individuals or groups from one culture gradually adopt the beliefs and practices of another culture, often leading to a loss of their original cultural identity. Socialization is a broader process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their society, encompassing aspects of both cultural diffusion and assimilation. Cultural integration involves the process of combining different cultural groups into a cohesive whole, which may not necessarily highlight the spread of ideas and customs. Thus, cultural diffusion is the most accurate term for the exchange and spread of cultural elements.