Is there research on the rate at which a concept is adopted among a given population?

Question

I'm looking for research on how and how fast ideas and concepts are adopted by a given population as true. For example, assuming a given concept such as anthropomorphic global warming (no matter what your thoughts are on the subject), what is the best way to study how the idea is spread throughout a population. What percentage of a given population accepts it as true, and how does that change over time?

I'd assume its some sort of s-curve with a the top part approaching 100% asymptotically.

Any thoughts or references are appreciated.

Answer 1

this question depends largely on the type of government/country it pertains to.  a communist country will adopt ideas (facts and/or propoganda) differently than will a democratic one.  this is also a media question ... much of a population's beliefs are shaped by its media, independent or otherwise (which again, relates back to the ruling body of a country and its freedom of speech and expression, etc.).

yours is a very complicated question, but good because it fuels more questions.  i think you might need to determine what country/population you are asking about and the status of the people therein (do education, race, gender, or any other factors influence conceptual assimilation?).

also, i'm not sure that the 'rate' of belief amongst a population could be charted on a graph (asymptotes or not) -- couldn't it vary by IDEA?  how quickly a mass of people accept one concept or another will likely be determined by what is actually being presented to them, and other factors such as the education of the populace, reporting bias, etc.

Answer 2

I think you're misusing anthropomorphic here.....i could be wrong.

ask these guys about your question:

http://www.air.org/