QUEZON MEMORIAL ACADEMY

Progreso St. Poblacion West Umingan, Pangasinan

TRENDS, NETWORKS, and CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY CULTURE

Week 1- Second Semester
I. Title:
Trends, Networks, and Societies

II. Objectives:
After going through this module, students are expected to:
A. define trend and describe the different characteristics of a trend;
B. explain the process on how to spot a trend; and
C. differentiate a trend from a fad.

III. Anticipatory Guide:

This unit discusses trends and networks and their effects on individuals, communities, and societies as well
as on the environment. Knowing and understanding them will make you become more aware of your surroundings,
establish good relations with others, and determine which ideas and actions support or reject. These will quip you
with the knowledge and skills necessary in making choices, preferences, and decisions, thus allowing you to
commit less mistakes in the future. Likewise, these will help you avoid wasteful use of energy, time, and resources.
Let’s get started. If you are ready, shade the star.
IV. Lesson Content:
What is trend?
Trend is defined in various ways. In the field of arts, fashion, and music, it is prevailing style or preference
such as realism movement in art, and popularity of music. In economics, it is a general movement registering
statistical changes for a long period such as the increasing cost of living and rate of unemployment. In politics, it
refers to a tendency, drift, or bend toward a certain stance, and thought. In other words, trend is a pattern of
behavior demonstrated by a big number of people within a particular period.
Example of trends: Sports (wearable devices that monitor training performance), Medicine (stem cell treatment),
Cosmetics (Whitening supplements), travel (Paperless tickets and online check-in) Manufacturing (3-D Printing,
(Environmental management (home solar electric system), Pop Music.
Sociologist view trend as a collective behavior or mass involvement which I acceptable to society and shows a
“line of historical continuity” as it can be downplayed today but can resurface sometimes in the future. (e.g clothes
and academic courses)

SPOTTING A TREND:
Trendsetter- A person who starts a trend.
Trendspotting- refers to “the study of trends and the way they develop and affect society.
Cool-hunting- is a “hunt for those things that will become popular before they are popular.
Trend analysis- it is based on trendspotting but it extends this into developing future scenarios.”

Trendspotting is the basis for trend analysis, which has applications in several fields. Below are the characteristics
that a trend spotter should possess, based and adapted from Rehn and Lindkvist (2013)
1. Adopt a beginner’s mind- Know how to unlearn things. With a beginner’s mind, you can see things in a new
light, as if everything is new and strange; thus you will be able to detect even small changes and shifts that field
experts tend to ignore.
2. Know why and what you are looking for- ascertain first the reason why you are looking for trends. Only then can
you focus on what kinds of trends to spot and how to specifically look for them.
3. Move and search in many places- look beyond what and where others are looking for and searching for. Dare to
look for something different and do not remain in your comfort zones.
4. Beware of the obvious- Do not join the bandwagon of the obvious-the flashy things. Remember that if something is
easy to spot, everyone most likely sees it, too. Things that are less visible effects changes in culture and society.
5. Never judge something as good or bad- set aside your biases and be objective in looking for trends. You may not
like a topic, but you have to pursue knowing more of it if you are to be an effective trendspotter. Pay attention to
anything related to it and be critical, too.
6. Be sensitive in looking for signals- study how trends gain momentum. Not all things new and novel can become a
trend, but they sometimes do. Taking the upsurge and downturn of phenomena will help you to expect or pick
weak signals that become strong.
7. Look for shifts rather than novelties- observe for changes in how things are done or in people’s behaviors when
something new is introduced.
8. Spot for combinations of things- do not think of trends as a singular evolution or development of things. They
come as combination of shifts and individuals spot.
9. Find the reason for something- however difficult this may be, seek logical explanations and causes for
everything. By understanding the reasons behind things, behaviors, changes and shifts, you can get a better
understanding of an emerging trend.

BIG IDEA:
In order to detect a trend, you have to read and observe a lot.

Trend versus Fad

Trend and fad are both group patterns of behavior but not without differences. A trend lasts for a longer
period of time than a fad. It may take years before a trend slows down, while it only takes a few weeks or months for
a fad to stay. Thus, a fad is a temporary or short-lived pattern of group behavior.

Trends and fads can happen in areas of life where change or transformation continuously occurs. This means that
while you are alive, you will encounter and experience various trends and fads.

V. Activity 1:
A. Identify which of the following items are trends and fads. Write T on the blank for trend and F for fad.
1. ____ Online banking 6.____ animated films
2. ____medical tourism 7. ____business process outsourcing
3. ____puka shell necklace 8. ____platform boots
4. ____“Gwiyomi” song 9. ____instagram
5. ____ denim jeans 10. ____”Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” song
B. ESSAY
1. Define trend and give a situation to support your claim. Begin your sentence with your name. example:
I am Loriele P. Lantion, I define trend as…….
2. What is the concept of “line of historical continuity”? Give an example.
VI. ASSIGNMENT
What are the elements of a trend?

Prepared by:

LORIELE P. LANTION

Subject Teacher