A domino effect is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a series of similar[1] or related events, a form of chain reaction. The term is an analogy to a falling row of dominoes. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively short. The term can be used literally (about a series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (about causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Dominoes_falling.jpg/220px-Dominoes_falling.jpg)
The literal, mechanical domino effect is exploited in Rube Goldberg machines. In chemistry, the principle applies to a domino reaction, in which one chemical reaction sets up the conditions necessary for a subsequent one that soon follows. In the realm of process safety, a domino-effect accident is an initial undesirable event triggering additional ones in related equipment or facilities, leading to a total incident effect more severe than the primary accident alone.
The metaphorical usage implies that an outcome is inevitable or highly likely (as it has already started to happen) – a form of slippery slope argument. When this outcome is actually unlikely (the argument is fallacious), it has also been called the domino fallacy.[2]
See also
edit- Behavioral contagion – Spontaneous, unsolicited and uncritical imitation of another's behavior
- Butterfly effect – Idea that small causes can have large effects
- Cascading failure – Systemic risk of failure
- Causality – How one process influences another
- Chinese whispers – Children's game
- Copycat crime – Criminal act that is inspired by a previous crime
- Domino theory – Cold War-era geopolitical theory on the spread of communism
- Kessler syndrome – Theoretical runaway satellite collision cascade that could render parts of Earth orbit unusable
- Mathematical induction – Form of mathematical proof
- Placebo effect – Substance or treatment of no therapeutic value
- Side effect – Outcome that is secondary to the one intended
- Ripple effect – Disturbance that propagates through a system
- Snowball effect – Metaphorical term for a process that builds upon itself
References
edit- ^ "domino effect". The Free Dictionary. Farlex, Inc. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Damer, T. Edward (1995). Attacking faulty reasoning: A practical guide to fallacy-free arguments. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-534-21750-1.
Further reading
edit- Stronge, W. J. (2004). Impact Mechanics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-60289-1.