We all want to fit in, especially when we’re young and still discovering who we are. And because of that many of us allow ourselves to be moulded by others to a larger or lesser degree.
It’s so easy to follow the crowd that most people do so without realising it. And whilst there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with that, it may lead to dangers you haven’t thought about.
Let’s dig a little deeper.
Why Do People Follow The Crowd?
Sometimes, it’s just easier to follow the crowd. People may want to be liked by others or they feel too shy to create their own path. Others might not like confrontation or disrupting people by doing things their way. But there might not even be an obvious reason as to why people feel the need to follow the crowd because it’s just in their nature to do so.
One source says, “The other reason people conform and go along with the crowd is that we all want to be liked and accepted. The desire to fit in is so strong that people sometimes conform to a group consensus even when it goes against their own judgment—at least in public. In private, they’re much more likely to follow their own minds.”
The Dangers Of Being A Blind Follower
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like there are any problems with following the crowd. But once you start conforming you may find that you’re encouraged not to do certain things that you want to do because it’ll upset others, or it goes against the status quo.
In time, you may even lose your decision-making skills because you’re so used to others making decisions for you. Think of the “trends” that many young people emulate because it’s just the done thing.
In the end, you’ll find that you’ve lost your individuality because you’ve been so consumed by trying to be like everyone else.
An article published by Cornell University makes some fascinating points on being a blind follower.