In:
Cognitive Science, Wiley, Vol. 29, No. 2 ( 2005-03-04), p. 195-221
Abstract:
We investigate 1 factor that influences the success of ideas or cultural representations by proposing that they have a habitat, that is, a set of environmental cues that encourages people to recall and transmit them. We test 2 hypotheses: (a) fluctuation: the success of an idea will vary over time with fluctuations in its habitat, and (b) competition: ideas with more prevalent habitats will be more successful. Four studies use subject ratings and data from newspapers to provide correlational support for our 2 hypotheses, with a negative factoid, positive rumor, catchphrases, and variants of a proverb. Three additional experimental studies manipulate the topic of actual conversations and find empirical support for our theory, with catchphrases, proverbs, and slang. The discussion examines how habitat prevalence applies to a more extensive class of ideas and suggests how habitats may influence the process by which ideas evolve.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0364-0213
,
1551-6709
DOI:
10.1207/s15516709cog0000_10
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2005
detail.hit.zdb_id:
282371-8
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2002940-8
SSG:
25
SSG:
5,2
SSG:
7,11
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