Final answer:
Customers with an early adopter mindset seek to be recognized as trendsetters, and marketers often use the bandwagon fallacy to target them, suggesting a product's widespread popularity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Customers with an early adopter mindset are typically drawn to new products and technologies with the desire to be seen as trendsetters or influencers in their social circles. This group enjoys the prestige that comes from being among the first to embrace new innovations, and they often influence the purchasing decisions of others by setting trends. It is not uncommon for companies and marketers to target these individuals with strategies that play on the bandwagon fallacy, suggesting that 'everyone' is using a new product or service, thus encouraging others to follow suit in order not to feel left out.
Furthermore, products are often designed with planned obsolescence, meaning they have a deliberately short lifespan to encourage continual purchasing, which can cause consumers to struggle to keep up with the pace of technological advancements. As trendsetters, early adopters contribute to this consumer cycle by seeking out the latest items, thus shaping technological and cultural norms within society. Advertisers may also use media coverage and societal trends to bolster their claims of a product's popularity and success, capitalizing on consumers' desires to stay current and socially relevant.