Question

Which of the following category of adopters adopt a new technology before the majority of the population does?

• A. Early Majority
• B. Laggards
• C. Late Majority
• D. Early Adopters

Hint:

Remember the adopter bell-curve sequence:
\[ \text{Innovators} \rightarrow \textbf{Early Adopters} \rightarrow \text{Early Majority} \rightarrow \text{Late Majority} \rightarrow \text{Laggards} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory describes how new ideas and technologies spread through a social system, categorizing adopters based on when they adopt an innovation.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The five adopter categories defined by Rogers are:
1. Innovators (\(2.5\%\)): The first to adopt; they are risk-takers and highly venturesome.
2. Early Adopters (\(13.5\%\)): Respectable opinion leaders in their community who adopt new technologies carefully and serve as role models before the majority does.
3. Early Majority (\(34\%\)): Deliberate adopters who accept innovations just before the average member of the social system.
4. Late Majority (\(34\%\)): Skeptical adopters who accept innovations only after the majority has already done so.
5. Laggards (\(16\%\)): Bound by tradition, they are the last to adopt a new technology.

Step 3: Final Answer
The category of individuals who adopt technologies before the general majority is the Early Adopters.