<P> Gary Becker has even argued that the bandwagon effect could be so strong as to make the demand curve slope upward . </P> <P> Medical bandwagons have been identified as "the overwhelming acceptance of unproved but popular ideas". They have led to inappropriate therapies for numerous numbers of patients, and have impeded the development of more appropriate treatment . </P> <P> In Lawrence Cohen and Henry Rothschild's exposition The Bandwagons of Medicine (1979) several of these therapeutic misadventures, some of which persisted for centuries before they were abandoned, substituted by another bandwagon, or replaced by a scientifically valid alternative . The ancient serpent cult of Aesculapius, in which sacred snakes licked the afflicted as treatment of their diseases, is an example of a bandwagon gathering momentum based on a strong personality, in this case a Roman god . </P> <P> One who supports a particular sports team, despite having shown no interest in that team until it started gaining success, can be considered a "bandwagon fan". One recent example in the United States is the Golden State Warriors, who rose to prominence by winning the 2015 NBA Finals, followed by a record - breaking 73 - 9 record the following year . The bandwagon effect can be seen in the statistics of the sales of point guard Stephen Curry's jersey . Curry merchandise sales in the first two weeks of the 2015--2016 season were 453% higher than in the first two weeks of the 2014--2015 season, including a 581% increase in sales of his jersey; his merchandise was a top - seller in 38 of the 50 U.S. states, and the Warriors' merchandise became the best - selling of any NBA team . </P>

When does the rally around the flag effect occur