Is Everyone Jumping Off a Bridge? Think for Yourself

Is Everyone Jumping Off a Bridge? Think for Yourself

Do you ever see people doing something and think you should join in? Have you ever gone along with something a group wanted to do only to regret it? Maybe you realize, “I should think for myself” only after it’s too late. If you want to avoid the fallacy of social proof, you need to think for yourself. The Social Proof Principle is a theory stating that you decide what’s correct based on what other people think is correct. This isn’t always the best course of action and this principle can lead to manipulation. Think for yourself and avoid being

The Milgram Shock Experiment: Sense of Duty Gone Too Far?

The Milgram Shock Experiment: Sense of Duty Gone Too Far?

Have you ever done anything out of obedience to authority or a sense of duty? Did it ever make you uncomfortable? Would you question the instructions of someone in a position of authority? The Milgram Shock Experiment shows how far you might go. The Milgram Shock Experiment is a study that demonstrated how willing people are to give deference to authority. Their obedience to authority allowed them to inflict pain on others even when they felt uncomfortable. See how a sense of duty played out in the Milgram Shock Experiment.

Consistency Bias: Don’t Double Down on Bad Decisions

Consistency Bias: Don’t Double Down on Bad Decisions

Do you feel confident after you’ve made a decision? Even if you were uncertain when weighing options, do you feel committed once a choice has been made? You may be experiencing a consistency bias that stops you from seeing that you made a bad decision. The consistency bias is your inability to see flaws because you’re blinded by the desire to be consistent with previous actions. Behavioral consistency can be contradictory to what is rationally the best decision. Learn how to combat the consistency bias.