ERIC Number: ED157109
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1978-Apr
Pages: 34
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Associational Model for the Diffusion of Complex Innovations.
Barnett, George A.
A paradigm for the study of the diffusion of complex innovations through a society is presented in this paper; the paradigm is useful for studying sociocultural change as innovations diffuse. The model is designed to account for change within social systems rather than in individuals, although it would also be consistent with information processing and attitude change models. Setting is defined by complex interactions between cultural objects and between these elements and the innovations. The associational structure of the model makes possible increased predictability of future changes because it takes into account all situation-specific relations affecting the actions of a society. Longitudinal multidimensional scaling is the preferred method for providing accurate measures of alterations. The model is useful for future research into diffusion of innovation phenomena, requiring a continual measurement from the start of the process; this is necessary if the mathematical model is to be tested realistically. Graphs and references are included. (DF)
Descriptors: Communication (Thought Transfer), Information Dissemination, Information Science, Information Theory, Innovation, Mathematical Models, Media Research, Models, Organizational Communication, Public Opinion, Research Methodology, Social Attitudes, Social Change, Social Science Research, Social Structure, Social Systems
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association (Chicago, Illinois, April 25-29, 1978)