Fads and trends
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A trend is a line of general direction of movement, a prevaling tendency of inclination, a style or preference, a line of development, or the general movement over time of a statistically detectable change . [1] In a few words, "trend" is a synonym to "tendency".
A fad is a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal. [2]
A craze is a product, idea, cultural movement, or model that gains popularity among a small section of the populace then quickly migrates to the mainstream. Crazes are characterized by their lightning fast adoption and swift departure from public awareness. Crazes and fads are also characterized by their unusually high interest and sales figures relative to the time they are active in the marketplace, as compared with other similar products, ideas, cultural movements or models.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Bandwagon effect
- Epidemiology (the mechanics of the spread of fads is similar to that of contagious diseases)
- Memetics, which posits that ideas are subject to evolutionary pressure analogous to that in population genetics
[edit] References
- ^ "merriam-webster.com". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trend. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
- ^ "merriam-webster.com". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fad. Retrieved July 28, 2009.