Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The cascade effect refers to an ordered sequence of reactions triggered by an event, each of which triggers the next.
Related terms
Positive Feedback Loop: A process in which a small effect is amplified, leading to increased responses. This can be part of a cascade effect.
Negative Feedback Loop: A process that counteracts changes in a system to maintain stability. It's like when you're too hot and start sweating to cool down.