Cultural Drift: A Primary Process of Culture Change

Abstract

The term "drift" is often conceptualized as a primary process of culture change. Whether or not perceived as a cultural analog of biology's genetic drift or similar sampling phenomena, "drift" is generally vaguely defined and/or used nonproductively. This in correct usage often masks the proper processes, which might more clearly elucidate particular change phenomena. This paper posits, by reference to examples of change, a clear exposition of "cultural drift" as a necessary contribution toward a unified genetic analog model of culture change.

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