What type of diffusion best describes the popularity of hockey in Canada and the northern United States?

The popularity of hockey in Canada and the northern United States can be best described by direct diffusion. This type of diffusion occurs when a cultural trait, such as a sport, spreads directly from one person or group to others through personal interactions and direct connections, rather than through media or indirect channels.

In the case of hockey, it has deep historical roots and has been a significant part of cultural identity in Canada, which then influenced similar regions in the northern United States. The sport is often played recreationally in communities and schools, where local participation fosters a direct transfer of enthusiasm and skills from players and fans to others in the area. As children grow up playing the sport and attending games, they share their experiences and knowledge directly with friends and family, thereby enhancing its popularity through first-hand engagement and local communities' cultural practices.

Expansion diffusion typically involves the spread of a trait through a population, growing outward from a source area, but it may not always include the direct personal transmission observed in hockey's growth in these regions. Indirect diffusion refers to the spread of elements through media or other channels, which doesn’t capture the personal, community-based nature of hockey's popularity. Forced diffusion involves the imposition of one culture upon another, which does not accurately reflect the