“No matter how individual we think we are, we all have an inherent desire to conform.”

“The principle of social proof says so: The greater the number of people who find any idea correct, the more the idea will be correct…We will use the actions of others to decide on proper behavior for ourselves, especially when we view those others as similar to ourselves…”

“A classic example of social proof occurred in the Arizona Petrified Forest. The theft of unusual petrified wood by visitors was becoming a serious issue, depleting the ancient woodland. Staff put up a sign stating: ‘Many past visitors have removed the petrified wood from the park, destroying the natural state of the Petrified Forest.’ This was intended to deter theft, but it had the opposite effect. The depletion of the petrified wood tripled. Experts who looked at the case determined that the signs had served as social proof, making people feel the act was justified.”

Intrigued? I was, so I read my way through this blog, and now it’s waiting for me to come back to it and read it again.

How much does social proof affect me? Lots of food for deep thinking.

https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2009/09/mental-model-social-proof/