Beware of the Pull to Social Conformity

Just because the majority say something, it doesn't make it right

Image by Craig Heaslip Wedding Films and Photography

Chimpanzees play dumb to fit in with their peers! This study found chimps who use an effective nut-cracking technique stop using it in favour of an inferior technique if they are moved to a different social group that all uses the inferior method. Adopting the behaviour of their social group helps the chimp fit in. It keeps them safe.

Humans are similar; we often go along with things for fear of being seen as different and consequently ousted from the group. According to James Clear in his book Atomic Habits,

“Most days, we’d rather be wrong with the crowd than be right by ourselves.”

Does this mean that most people are living a lie? I wonder how many people live inauthentically to fit in with others instead of following their own yearnings.

It’s difficult to swim against the tide. The friction we feel from going against the grain often leads us to abandon ourselves and betray our own hearts by conforming to social norms.

Acceptance …