Which sequence order of adopter categories is correct in diffusion of innovations?

• A. Laggards, early adopters, early majority, late majority.
• B. Early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards.
• C. Early majority, late majority, laggards, early adopters.
• D. Late majority, laggards, early adopters, early majority.

Answer: (B)

Diffusion of innovations tracks how people in a population adopt a new idea or product over time. After innovators try something new, the next group to adopt tends to be the early adopters, who influence others with their favorable opinions. Following them is the early majority, who want to see solid evidence and social proof before embracing the change. Then comes the late majority, who are more skeptical and often wait until the majority is already using it. Finally, laggards are last, typically resistant to change and adopting only when it becomes unavoidable. This progression—early adopters, then early majority, then late majority, then laggards—best fits how diffusion unfolds in real communities. The other sequences misplace one or more groups, which doesn’t align with the observed pattern.