Which sequence represents the correct order of adopter categories in Diffusion of Innovations?

• A. Pioneers, Settlers, Builders, Maintainers
• B. Farmers, Merchants, Scholars, Rulers
• C. Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, Laggards
• D. Nomads, Settlers, City Dwellers, Urbanites

Answer: (C)

Diffusion of innovations looks at how new ideas spread through a social system over time, with different groups adopting at different speeds. The sequence begins with innovators—those who seek novelty and take risks. Next are early adopters, respected opinion leaders who are quick to try new ideas after seeing early benefits. After them come the early majority, who adopt after weighing advantages and seeking some social proof. Then the late majority, who tend to be more skeptical and rely on peer pressure or practical necessity. Finally, laggards are the most traditional and are last to adopt.

This order—innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards—matches the typical diffusion pattern and produces the characteristic S-shaped adoption curve over time. The other sequences use terms that aren’t standard adopter categories or place them in a nonconforming order, so they don’t fit how diffusion actually unfolds.