Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning
Summary. This paper develops theoretical models explaining how new ideas and products spread through populations with different characteristics. The author examines three diffusion mechanisms—contagion, social influence, and social learning—and shows each creates a distinct pattern in adoption curves. Using historical data on hybrid corn adoption, the paper demonstrates how to empirically distinguish between these diffusion mechanisms and provides tools for analyzing innovation spread in heterogeneous groups.
Cite this article
Young, H. P.. (2009). Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning. American Economic Review. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.99.5.1899
Young, H. Peyton. “Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning.” American Economic Review, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.99.5.1899.
Young, H. Peyton. 2009. “Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning.” American Economic Review. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.99.5.1899.
@article{young-2009-innovation-diffusion-heterogeneous-populations-contagion,
title = {Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning},
author = {H. Peyton Young},
journal = {American Economic Review},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1257/aer.99.5.1899},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.99.5.1899}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Innovation Diffusion in Heterogeneous Populations: Contagion, Social Influence, and Social Learning AU - H. Peyton Young JO - American Economic Review PY - 2009 DO - 10.1257/aer.99.5.1899 UR - https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.99.5.1899 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1257/aer.99.5.1899
- Countries
- United States
- Regions
- North America
- Categories
- innovation-theory, food-systems, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-04-28