The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is Gladwell's main thesis?

Social epidemics are spurred by Tipping Points, or moments of sudden and unexpected change.

What is the name of the American shoe brand that became popular between 1994 and 1995?

Hush Puppies

What are ideas and behaviors that spread like viral disease pandemics?

Social Epidemics

What is the first rule of social epidemics?

They're contagious, as they spread from person to person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second rule of social epidemics?

Small causes lead to large effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the third rule of social epidemics?

The changes are nearly instant, not gradual. Signup and view all the answers

Epidemics follow what mathematical rule?

Geometric progression, where a virus doubles and doubles again until the effect far exceeds the cause. Signup and view all the answers

When was the expression 'Tipping Point' first used?

In the 1970s when sociologists examined 'white flight' to the suburbs as urban neighborhoods became racially integrated. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 'agents of change' that may tip an epidemic?

The infectious agent itself, the people who spread it, or the environment it is in. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three principles?

The Stickiness Factor (infectious agents), the Law of the Few (people), and the Power of Context (environment). Signup and view all the answers

What is the 80/20 principle?

20% of the participants in any system will do 80% of the work. Signup and view all the answers

What example demonstrates the Power of Context?

Scientist John Zenilman identified how syphilis became chronic after health services decreased. Signup and view all the answers

Who benefits from the Stickiness Factor?

Advertisers. Signup and view all the answers

How does Kitty Genovese's story connect?

Gladwell believed that the witnesses were influenced by being in a large group where 'responsibility for acting is diffused'. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Paul Revere's ride produce a 'word-of-mouth epidemic'?

Because of his unique connections and social gifts that made him a Connector. Signup and view all the answers

What are Connectors?

People with large, diverse social circles who bring others together. They make and remember many friends and acquaintances. Signup and view all the answers

What are Mavens?

Information specialists or experts in a single area who love to share their knowledge with others. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Salesman?

Persuaders with powerful and contagious personalities who can win others over subconsciously. Signup and view all the answers

Joan Gantz Cooney wanted to spread literacy to preschool-age children, which ended up creating what?

Sesame Street Signup and view all the answers

Lester Wunderman's tactic of introducing a tiny reader participation element exemplified what idea?

That small changes can work for information campaigns in surprising ways. Signup and view all the answers

How did researchers at Yale make tetanus shot statistics 'practical and personal'?

By giving the students a map to the health center. Signup and view all the answers

What did Blue's Clues show Gladwell?

That the creators didn't alter content to find the 'stickiness factor', but made small adjustments to their presentation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bernhard Goetz's story show?

How an environment change can change someone's behavior or attitude towards something. Signup and view all the answers

What did city consultants do in the mid-1980s to put an end to crime?

Painting over graffiti in city subway cars and police cracking down on fare-beating. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 1970s Stanford Prison Experiment change the people who were assigned roles?

Certain intense situations can make people behave in ways they otherwise never would. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 1920s research of Hugh Hartshorne and M.A. May support Gladwell's ideas?

The schoolchildren's honesty experiment proved that character traits are flexible and dependent on context. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Princeton University experiment reveal?

That context trumped convictions, thoughts, and beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gladwell argue at the end of Chapter 4?

That minor environmental alterations can help prevent crime. Signup and view all the answers

Rebecca Wells's book 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' became a bestseller because of what principle?

The Rule of 150, the number at which an individual can form a genuine relationship with people. Signup and view all the answers

What are 2 examples of the Rule of 150?

The Hutterite religious community and Gore Associates. Signup and view all the answers

What are Innovators?

The adventurous people who begin a new trend. Signup and view all the answers

What are Early Adopters?

The respected community members that bring the trend to the wider population. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 3-step process of distortion?

<ol> <li>Stories are leveled when tellers omit certain details. 2. They're sharpened when the remaining details become more specific. 3. They're assimilated when the story adapts to the population spreading the rumor.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was Airwalk's branding agency that wanted to reach the Innovators/trendsetters of youth culture?

Lambesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tipping point for suicides?

High-profile suicides, as it gives imitators permission to copy the method of their death. Signup and view all the answers

Teen smoking and suicide in Micronesia is an example of what?

A private language between members of a common subculture, or a shared language. Signup and view all the answers

The select smoking influencers illustrate which one of Gladwell's laws?

The Law of the Few. Signup and view all the answers

How did Gladwell propose cigarette stickiness can be fought?

Treat depression in smokers, and reduce the nicotine levels. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of people are Lois Weisberg and Roger Horchow?

Connectors. Signup and view all the answers

What did the work of sociologist Mark Granovetter help to see?

How Connectors function. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of person is Mark Alpert?

A Maven. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of a person is Tom Gau?

A Salesman. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Main Thesis

Social epidemics are triggered by Tipping Points, which represent unexpected moments of change.

Popular Culture Example

Hush Puppies, an American shoe brand, gained popularity rapidly between 1994 and 1995.

Concepts

Social Epidemics refer to ideas and behaviors that spread rapidly, similar to viral diseases.
The contagious nature of social epidemics illustrates their ability to spread from person to person.
Small causes can lead to significant effects in social dynamics.
Social changes occur rapidly, exhibiting almost instantaneous shifts rather than gradual transitions.

Mathematical Principles

Epidemics follow a geometric progression, where effects multiply quickly, resembling a doubling pattern.

Origin of the Term

The phrase "Tipping Point" emerged in the 1970s during studies of "white flight" in increasingly integrated urban neighborhoods.

Agents of Change

Three "agents of change" can influence an epidemic: the infectious agent itself, the individuals who spread it, and the surrounding environment.

Key Principles

Stickiness Factor pertains to how engaging and memorable an idea is.
Law of the Few highlights that a small minority contributes to most of the influence.
Power of Context emphasizes how environmental factors shape behavior.

80/20 Principle

The 80/20 principle indicates that 20% of participants create 80% of the impact, demonstrating the significant role of certain individuals.

Case Studies

John Zenilman's research on syphilis illustrated how a decrease in healthcare access led to an epidemic.
Kitty Genovese's incident showcased the diffusion of responsibility among large groups.

Paul Revere's ride exemplified the impact of a Connector—someone possessing influential social ties.
Connectors serve as "social glue," linking diverse groups through extensive networks.

Mavens are experts who relish sharing knowledge and can greatly influence product dissemination.
Salesmen are persuasive individuals whose charisma can sway public opinion.

Literacy Initiative

Joan Gantz Cooney aimed to enhance literacy in preschoolers, resulting in the creation of Sesame Street.

Marketing Strategies

Lester Wunderman demonstrated that small reader engagement elements can significantly enhance information campaigns' effectiveness.

Health Behavior Research

Yale researchers made health services more accessible by providing maps, illustrating how practical changes can motivate action.

Children’s Programming Insights

In creating Blue's Clues, the focus on making small presentation adjustments enhanced stickiness without altering core content.

Behavioral Analysis

Bernhard Goetz's experience revealed how external circumstances can drastically modify personal behavior.

Urban Crime Reduction

In the mid-1980s, cities reduced crime by enforcing minor laws, such as graffiti removal, showcasing the influence of the Power of Context.

Psychological Experiments

The Stanford Prison Experiment highlighted how situational pressures could lead individuals to act against their typical moral compass.
Research by Hugh Hartshorne and M.A. May found that character traits are adaptable according to context.

Community Dynamics

The Rule of 150 posits a limit to the number of genuine relationships one can form, influencing social interactions in communities.

Innovators and Adoption

Innovators are trendsetters who initiate new ideas, while Early Adopters are respected community members who help propagate trends.

Storytelling Dynamics

The 3-step process of distortion in storytelling involves leveling, sharpening, and assimilating narratives as they spread.

Marketing Agency

Lambesis was the branding agency aspiring to connect with Innovators within youth culture.

Imitation Trends

High-profile suicides can create a tipping point, leading to imitation among vulnerable individuals.

Cultural Influence

Teen smoking in Micronesia exemplifies a subculture-specific language, illustrating shared symbols within groups.

Smoking Influencers

Select smoking influencers serve as practical examples of the Law of the Few.

Preventive Approaches

To combat smoking habits among youth, approaches include addressing underlying depression and reducing nicotine content.

Notable Connectors

Lois Weisberg and Roger Horchow exemplify Connectors with expansive social networks.

Research Contributions

Mark Granovetter's work elucidated the roles and functions of Connectors in societal change.

Maven and Salesman Profiles

Mark Alpert operates as a Maven, while Tom Gau embodies the traits of a Salesman.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Malcolm Gladwell's 'The Tipping Point' with these review flashcards. Explore key concepts such as social epidemics and the factors that lead to sudden changes in society. Engage with notable examples from the book to deepen your understanding.