Hope for the Human Herd Instinct

He's do what she does, she'll do what he does, they'll all do what they see others doing

Photo: Sreejith K via Flickr

Kiplinger.com reported yesterday on a recent experiment conducted at Emory University in Atlanta. Participants were asked to view a rotating assemblage of cubes and describe how they looked as it was rotated. Meanwhile, other participants (actually actors paid to confuse the participant) reported seeing something different. In every case, the actual experimental participants reported that they agreed with the actors who were paid to lie.

Brain scans found that participants didn’t just decide to go along with the crowd. Instead, the crowd’s opinion actually changed their perception of the problem.

You can turn this facet of human nature to your advantage. Craftyour environmental communication to send a message that other people are doing their part for nature protection and pollution control already.

Tell them everybody is putting a rain barrel on their house. Show them pictures of crowds turning out for your cleanup event. Print long lists of donors who support your organization. Show pictures of people picking up after the dog. The stories and pictures of other people doing the right thing will be more persuasive than facts and information that explain why it’s the right thing to do.

Click the link below for the original story:
Don’t trust the crowd if you value the truth

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