JUL 25, 2014 @ 10:48 AM
5 Ways To Avoid The Herd Mentality
By, Amy Morin
Study Shows The Power Of Social Influence:
Herd mentality, or mob mentality, describes how people are influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors. Examples of the herd mentality include stock market trends, superstition and home décor
Mom was right when she said, “Be careful who you surround yourself with.” Although those words of wisdom are usually handed out during adolescence, there’s evidence that suggests we need to follow that advice into adulthood. Apparently, we’re still easily influenced by those around us.
We’d like to believe that each choice we make is based upon our independent assessment and best judgment. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even as adults we’re prone to being copycats.
Although other studies have shown that we’re prone to copying the body language of a person we’re speaking with, and some studies have concluded we experience the same emotions as the people around us, this study shows we also mimic other people’s product choices.
What the Research Shows
A series of experiments concluded that when people didn’t have a strong opinion about the choices presented to them, they simply mimicked the people around them. Rather than asking questions, or spending time learning about a topic, people deferred to the “social default.”
Participants in the study would buy products that were clearly inferior simply because they were copying the people around them. The authors concluded, “Our research demonstrates that automatic forms of social influence are more pervasive than previously thought.
Bad Outcomes Because of Herd Mentality
The 1692 Salem Witch Trials are everyone’s favorite example of mob mentality, and although the incident has been discussed to death, it’s worth mentioning. It truly epitomizes what can happen when religious extremism and mobs collide. In fact, this incident made such an impression that—over 320 years later—we still use the phrase “witch hunt” to describe people being senselessly persecuted.No doubt you’ve heard the story: a couple of girls started acting weird (having fits, diving under furniture, contorting in pain, etc.) and claimed witches were responsible for their “sickness.” They pointed fingers at specific women in Salem, and after the doctor confirmed the girls were possessed, the already witch-phobic town went berserk. Salem officials started arresting suspected witches based on the flimsiest evidence (accusations from little girls), and the town went along with the whole thing, relishing in the witches’ destruction.Perhaps the most bizarre part was the inane methods they used to judge the guilt of the suspects. Basically, if they wanted you to be guilty, they could take anything on your body or in your home and twist into something “witchy.” Have a mole or blemish? Actually, that’s a “witch’s teat.” You’re a witch. Keep a bottle of ointment in your house? Well, that’s witch contraband.Altogether, they imprisoned 150 people and killed 25; 19 were hanged, one man who refused to enter a plea was crushed under heavy stones, and five died in prison.
Reading Comprehension Questions for Study Shows the Power of Social Influence
Directions: Answer questions using direct quotes from the article for questions 1,2 and 4.
1) Herd mentality is defined as:
2) People copy others when:
3) An example of a bad outcome because of mob mentality is?______
4) Why was the outcome so bad?