Herd mentality
The herd mentality, also known as mob mentality, is an evolutionary adaptation in primates, that involves copying what other members of one's tribe, clan, village, etc. are doing. Due to modern telecommunications, the effect can be literally planet-wide, although usually it is confined within individual cultures. It is synonymous with Meme Theory.
 |
This page contains too many unsourced statements and needs to be improved.
Herd mentality could use some help. Please research the article's assertions. Whatever is credible should be sourced, and what is not should be removed. |
| We're all Homo here Evolution |
 |
| Relevant Hominids |
| A Gradual Science |
| Plain Monkey Business |
v - t - e |
- Someone: "Moo."
- Someone else: "Moo."
- Media: "Moo."
- More people: "Moo."
- A lot more people: "Moo."
What the basic principle means is that many people do not really think for themselves about various issues, but follow what they perceive as the "herd".
This principle is commonly used by business advertisers. Giving the impression their product or service is used by many and thus influencing consumers to follow the "herd".
The greatest example of this, however, is religion. People go along with what people around them think, particularly their parents and family, and are so convinced they are right, without ever thinking for themselves. There are numerous different beliefs, all of which have believers believing they are right, even though someone else who believes something totally different that contradicts their belief is just as confident about their beliefs.