Yet, as important as conformity is, we are not very good at estimating group consensus. We assume the majority in a group are those with the loudest voices that are repeated the most often. Unfortunately, this can lead us to adopt beliefs that the majority never really held, resulting in collective illusions that become a reality.

We're hardwired to prefer to be with our group

When we deviate from the group, our brains trigger an 'error signal' that short circuits everything else to let you know something is fundamentally wrong, and you should pay attention. Public shaming is an example of punishing people who deviate from the group. However, group consensus is not a guarantee that it is a fact. It may be a collective illusion.  The group may not believe something, but you are willing to conform because you think the group agrees.

Conformity bias

History is full of examples of groups deviating in huge ways, and there's an enormous social cost. For example, in the 60s, most whites in the South no longer approved of segregation but were convinced that most white Southerners still favoured segregation.  Nobody was willing to challenge the belonging to their group, which allowed segregation to continue for many years. We have to create a space that allows respectful disagreement in productive ways.

Groups can err in huge ways

Thinking as a group and going along with the loudest voices can feel easy and even natural. But to make real positive change in our world, it’s important to hear all voices and question the perceived majority. Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/c/bigthink Up Next ► Why Americans don’t trust each other https://youtu.be/E4erHIZpnyQ Humans are hardwired to conform to the group. And that’s why it feels seamless to go along with what you perceive as the majority’s view. But as a leader and a changemaker, it’s critical to recognize that just because it feels like most people agree on an issue, that doesn’t mean they actually do. When you find yourself in a situation where a group of people is pushing forward on something you’re not so sure about, pause and question it. Are all voices being heard? Or are the loudest voices simply altering the group’s perception? If you want to make real change in your community, organization, or even your personal life, be sure to hear all voices and think critically outside of the group. Collective Illusions is a 9-part series brought to you by Stand Together: a community of changemakers tackling our biggest challenges. Learn more here: https://standtogether.org/ Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/series/collective-illusions/conformity/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Todd Rose: Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He lives in Burlington, Massachusetts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more of our stories on group conformity: The power of conformity: How good people do evil things ► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/conformity-2/ Following the scientific consensus is the ‘least wrong’ line of thought ►https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/following-the-scientific-consensus-is-the-least-wrong-line-of-thought/ Why large groups of people often come to the same conclusions ► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/groupthink/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Big Think | Smarter Faster™ ► Big Think The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. ► Big Think+ Make your business smarter, faster: https://bigthink.com/plus/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want more Big Think? ► Daily editorial features: https://bigthink.com/popular/ ► Get the best of Big Think right to your inbox: https://bigthink.com/st/newsletter ► Facebook: https://bigth.ink/facebook ► Instagram: https://bigth.ink/Instagram ► Twitter: https://bigth.ink/twitter

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Thinking as a group and going along with the loudest voices can feel easy and even natural. But to make real positive change in our world, it’s important to hear all voices  and question the perceived majority. 

Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/c/bigthink 
Up Next ► Why Americans don’t trust each other https://youtu.be/E4erHIZpnyQ

Humans are hardwired to conform to the group. And that’s why it feels seamless to go along with what you perceive as the majority’s view. But as a leader and a changemaker, it’s critical to recognize that just because it feels like most people agree on an issue, that doesn’t mean they actually do. 

When you find yourself in a situation where a group of people is pushing forward on something you’re not so sure about, pause and question it. Are all voices being heard? Or are the loudest voices simply altering the group’s perception? 

If you want to make real change in  your community, organization, or even your personal life, be sure to hear all voices and think critically outside of the group. 

Collective Illusions is a 9-part series brought to you by Stand Together: a community of changemakers tackling our biggest challenges. Learn more here: https://standtogether.org/

Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/series/collective-illusions/conformity/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

About Todd Rose: 
Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He lives in Burlington, Massachusetts.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Read more of our stories on group conformity:
The power of conformity: How good people do evil things
► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/conformity-2/ 
Following the scientific consensus is the ‘least wrong’ line of thought
►https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/following-the-scientific-consensus-is-the-least-wrong-line-of-thought/ 
Why large groups of people often come to the same conclusions
► https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/groupthink/ 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

About Big Think | Smarter Faster™
► Big Think 
The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. 
► Big Think+
Make your business smarter, faster: https://bigthink.com/plus/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Want more Big Think?
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► Get the best of Big Think right to your inbox: https://bigthink.com/st/newsletter 
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► Instagram: https://bigth.ink/Instagram
► Twitter: https://bigth.ink/twitter

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