Social Psychological Characteristics of Innovators

Abstract

Sportsmen differentially adopting a technological innovation were assigned to one of four adopter categories. Multiple discriminant function analysis showed these categories to be empirically distinct in terms of selected socio-psychological characteristics and revealed that only one subject had been misclassified. The most discriminating variables in order of power were venturesomeness, professional status, imaginativeness, educational status, dominance, sociability, cosmopoliteness, and self-sufficiency. It is suggested that the findings lend some support to certain generalizations made by Hagen and Rogers and underscore the value of using an objective, multi-factor personality inventory in diffusion research.