Whatever you all say!

The researcher Solomon Asch made some laboratory researches in 1950’s to determine the extent of the influence of the ideas of a group of many people, being in contact with a person, on the ideas of that person. These researches resulted in the tests which are known today as the Asch Paradigm in social psychology. Looking at the general results of these tests, we find that even though a person thinks something to be incorrect, sometimes because he/she does not want to give offence and sometimes by rationalizing as, “Well, will so many people make a mistake?” this person will with a probability of 1 in 3 say “correct” to a “false” decision.

Suppose that you went to a movie with a group of friends. Also suppose that you find the film so bad that is not worth watching. However, everyone praises the movie when it ends. At least, you may doubt yourself! ☺

If you intend to start a new business and want to share this idea with some people to learn their views on the issue, it might be better not to do this by gathering them all in one place. Meet with them one by one. Otherwise, whatever the reason may be if they reach a consensus, you might not be able to object or at least you might be discouraged. On the other hand, one to one discussions will most probably lead you to the correct conclusion.

The Asch conformity experiments are often interpreted as evidence for the power of conformity and normative social influence. That is, the willingness to conform publicly to attain social reward and avoid social punishment. (Source: Wikipedia)

The song of the week: Tracy Chapman – Give Me One Reason (1995)