Understanding the Elements

and Characteristics of a Trend

Trend
Trend is a sequential pattern of changes in
recorded data. A change evidenced by a rise or
fall of variables when measured between at least
two points over time (Gordon, 2008). It is a way
of doing new things individually or one society
that followed by many people, it may become a
daily routine or a tradition.
When you see a cumulonimbus clouds suddenly
formed within the horizon, you would probably
guess that a rain or thunderstorm is imminent. When
rains comes moments later, surely you would
exclaim that you were right about your guess. You
were able to spot an incoming rain. That was about
spotting an incoming rain, but how about trend?
Can you spot a trend?
Read and analyze the statements
carefully. Identify whether the
given descriptions pertain to a
TREND or a FAD.
1. It is something such as interest or
fashion that becomes popular for a
short period of time.
2. A recurrent phenomenon that
takes place over time and gives
rise to speculation on the future.
3. It is a pattern of group
behavior that lasts for a long
period of time.
5. It is sometimes
referred to as “rage or
craze”
5. It is a pattern, a direction, or a
movement in a way something is
changing towards a style or idea.
6. Examples of this are hula
hoop, yo-yo and virtual pets.
7. It is a new item that stabilizes
to an enduring product or a
practice that transforms into a
habit or a lifestyle.
8. It is characterized by a
quick rise in sales and
popularity followed by a
quick decline.
9. It fades when the
perception of novelty is
gone.
10. It appears suddenly,
becomes enormously popular,
and does not disappear but
rather gets stronger over time.
11. It may come as a general
movement registering statistical
changes for a loner period of
time such as the increasing cost
of living and rate of
unemployment.
12. It is an intense
but short-lived
fashion.
13. It is something that covers almost all of
human activities such as but not limited to
politics, beliefs, economics, lifestyle, social
life and the like whether the individuals or
groups of people are aware of it or not.
14. It has a certain beginning at
a particular time in history, but
it evolves and changes as it
continues to grow.
15. Examples of this are business
process outsourcing, online
ticketing, and cashless
transactions.
Elements of a
trend
Number of participants

Pertains to people who follow a certain

trend which is started by an individual or a
group of people. The group then grows into
a community, and eventually swells into
national and international societies.
Example, the prevailing fashion of a period,
follows what celebrities are wearing or what
fashion designers offer. People often copy the
trendsetters and so a new fashion trend develops.
In the recent century, styles of clothing are usually
distinguished by decades. One example of this are
denim jeans that become a casual wear by all
genders on a regular basis.
Pattern of behavior

 Refers to a trend that is formed from repetitive

actions of people. For example, the simple act of
taking a selfie has now become a cultural trend. It is
almost impossible not to see someone taking a selfie
in any place- be it in a tourist spot, in a restaurant, in
a hotel lobby, beside a movie poster in a cinema, in a
concert hall, at an event, among others.
Before smartphones and portable digital cameras,
pictures or portraits were taken by another person.
The selfie phenomenon enabled people to construct
themselves visually and present it to the public by
putting it on social media. Others view the taking of
selfies with disdain as a symbol of narcissisms and
superficiality, while others consider it as an act of
self-exploration and a gauge for acceptance.
Long period of time

Is one of the crucial elements of a trend which is

means that a trend has to have a long-time frame,
sometime running for decades. A trend may
experience some ups and downs in popularity,
may fade away, and may recur. A good example
of this element of trend is the telephone.
It is a communication instrument that revolutionized
modern living and created various social impacts. It was
soon overtaken by the popularity of mobile phones in
the late 1990s that have text messaging feature. Then
newer technologies allowed smartphones to include
many applications and internet connectivity. Although
telephones are still present in homes and offices,
smartphones clearly have gotten ahead in functionality
and usage.
Cause

 Refers to the starting point of a trend which can

be an idea, a technology, an event or a person.
All trends have beginnings and someone or
somebody definitely started it.
Consequence

Refers to the considerable impact or

influence of a trend. Social networking has
become an encompassing trend that lends
to influence behaviors of online users.
Characteristics of trends

Trends are difficult to study and analyze. Studying them is like

predicting the future and determining what changes may
possibly last and thus have wide effects on society and the
people. Just like predicting an incoming rain or storm, it is quite
difficult to measure its impending aftermath. It may yield a good
outcome for the farmers especially when they are in great need
of water for their crops, but at the same time it can also yield
damages to other areas.
Characteristics Microtrends Macrotrends Megatrends Gigatrends

Descriptions and These are little things These are aggregated These are These are trends that
Features that happen all around microtrends or more microtrends that have are so general that
us all the time, the tiny sweeping changes grown up and moved they affect most
shifts that occur in that are affecting out. They are big, areas of human life-
everything from clothes society.” they bold and affect the or , at least, more
we wear and the snacks provide major lives of great than one aspect of
we eat to the way we changes that are swatches of the life or more than one
work, play, and love.” perceptible in the human race.” they industry. They are
these trends happen societal level for a can last for decades usually identified to
right now and are longer period and are so pervasive define an era
outright observable. as to be generally
known. They have
become the
prevailing condition
that has become too
normal.
Characteristics Microtrends Macrotrends Megatrends Gigatrends

Example/s Smartphone App/Games Varying smartphone Smartphones which Internet or the World
which are dependent on brands (iPhones vs. are dependent on the Wide Web which
the capabilities of a android phones) internet. may be considered as
smartphone. battle for popularity Smartphones are a soul of almost all
of these smartphones widely used by technologies.
almost all people in
the world.