What term describes obsolescence caused by changing fashions and trends?

Study for the Diploma Programme Design Technology Exam. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and detailed explanations. Be well-prepared for your test!

Multiple Choice

What term describes obsolescence caused by changing fashions and trends?

Explanation:
Style (fashion) obsolescence describes a product becoming out of date because trends and fashions change, not because it stops working. It happens when designers update looks, colors, or features and consumers feel the old version is unfashionable, prompting replacement even though the item still functions. This makes it the best fit for the scenario, since the driver is aesthetics and taste shaped by fashion cycles. The other terms don’t capture this specific cause: general obsolescence is too broad, consumerism describes spending behavior rather than a reason for products to be discarded, and suppression (markets) isn’t the standard term used for obsolescence types.

Style (fashion) obsolescence describes a product becoming out of date because trends and fashions change, not because it stops working. It happens when designers update looks, colors, or features and consumers feel the old version is unfashionable, prompting replacement even though the item still functions. This makes it the best fit for the scenario, since the driver is aesthetics and taste shaped by fashion cycles. The other terms don’t capture this specific cause: general obsolescence is too broad, consumerism describes spending behavior rather than a reason for products to be discarded, and suppression (markets) isn’t the standard term used for obsolescence types.

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