Which example illustrates hierarchical expansion diffusion?

Study for the OAE Integrated Social Studies (025) Exam. Prepare with practice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence!

Hierarchical expansion diffusion occurs when a trend or cultural element spreads from a higher authority or influential group to smaller or less influential groups. In this case, the example of a designer label becoming popular among celebrities, and then moving down to the general public perfectly illustrates this concept. Here, the celebrities act as the higher status individuals whose adoption of the brand influences others to follow suit, which is a characteristic feature of hierarchical diffusion.

This sequencing shows a clear pattern where the diffusion is not uniform across all demographics but instead follows a tiered approach, with those at the top influencing those below them. The other examples illustrate different forms of diffusion. For instance, a new product gaining popularity rapidly across towns demonstrates contagious diffusion, while a local dish being adapted by more restaurants suggests a more localized spread that doesn't necessarily follow a hierarchical structure. Similarly, trends propagating through social media influencers reflect aspects of network diffusion rather than hierarchical diffusion itself.

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