Path Dependence
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
Path dependence refers to the phenomenon where, under given conditions, people's decisions are constrained by their past decision-making experience and established benefits, even if past circumstances may be outdated and no longer applicable to the current situation. In economics, path dependence is used to explain the role of contingency in institutional change and the sensitivity of institutional change to initial conditions.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Path dependence refers to the phenomenon where, under given conditions, people's decisions are constrained by their past decision-making experience and established benefits, even if past circumstances may be outdated and no longer applicable to the current situation. In economics, path dependence is used to explain the role of contingency in institutional change and the sensitivity of institutional change to initial conditions.
Anchor fast decisions
It refers to the fact that an early contingent choice can lock in the subsequent development path, even if a better alternative emerges later. The mechanism comes from the self-reinforcement of scale effects, learning effects, coordination effects, and adaptive expectations.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B7%AF%E5%BE%84%E4%BE%9D%E8%B5%96verified
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