Herd behavior

[Cataphract]

I just recently came to think of why so many persons act differently when in a group with other persons. We all have probably noticed that for example your best friend acts all normal and shows his personality when you talk with him alone, but when he has other people around him, his behavior might change drastically, often in a negative way and to "take sides" with the other people in the group.

Everyday choices are aswell affected by this herd behavior, take for example movies, if there are 5 movies that run on the theatre people have the choice of reading about the movies and then see them, yet many people choose to see the movie that all the others are going to, and not relying on their own opinions and judgement enough, taking the "safe" way of mimicing others.

Its pretty interesting, heres a wikipedia link about it, discuss. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_behavior

 

[Pharaoh Llandy]

Yeeeeees. Conforming to society in the interest of self-preservation is a pretty old concept.

 

[Ilex]

Others maybe, but not me.

 

[Kissaki]

Others maybe, but not me.

Being yourself, you are not in a position to judge. Other people see a person's behaviour better than the person himself.

We all act differently according to situation and company, unless we are unaware of our surroundings.

 

[Jaghatai Khan]

If people say: " This Movie sucks", I still go to it.

I only conform to herd behaviour when I have a chance of escaping from excessive work.

 

[thesneakster]

what's wrong with herd behaviour?

i mean, what the hell is the point of going to the movies if you don't go with anyone?

 

[Jaghatai Khan]

Donnie Darko? I watched it on a feverish Summer midday in an almost empty theatre.

 

[Kissaki]

We all exhibit herd behaviour in many ways. The way we dress is directly influenced by our cultural surroundings (even if you "don't care" about the way you dress, there is still a social reason for choosing the clothes you do), we treat people according to the way they treat us, our morals are a result of the surroundings we were brought up in, and we follow the majority in matters of which we have little knowledge. Trying to break out of conformity, trying to be individualistic and all "crazy" and "rebellious" is also human nature, and perfectly part of herd behaviour. "Herd behaviour? Oh no sir, not me! Everyone else does, but I am special."

 

[Ilex]

"Herd behaviour? Oh no sir, not me! Everyone else does, but I am special."

My point earlier. 

 

[holybandit]

There are a few people that go to my school, who try to "diffrent" then everyone else. They are generally called goth kids, and they wear all black,speak in a monotone voice, and do wierd **** like scream in the middle of the hallway. Bunch of damn freaks.

 

[Kissaki]

The fact that they are goth, though, means they belong to the goth herd. Perfect example of herd behaviour.

 

[Aratek]

All the goths that went to my school last year are now emos.  *sigh*  What is the world coming to? 

 

[Jaghatai Khan]

There are a few people that go to my school, who try to "diffrent" then everyone else. They are generally called goth kids, and they wear all black,speak in a monotone voice, and do wierd **** like scream in the middle of the hallway. Bunch of damn freaks.

We had one and he didn't even have the energy to scream. He was half-dead, and with corpse paint make-up.

 

[Buxton]

Whilst I do act a bit differently in a group, I still maintain World of Warcraft is **** in any case.

 

[Morbo]

I'm a one man herd.

*nods sagely*

 

[Pharaoh Llandy]

While I have no doubt that I possess occasional herdish tendencies, for the most part, my opinions, etc., are my own. I had my rebellious time as a teen, and like any rebellious teen, listened to the Sex Pistols way too much. But these days I dress to suit myself (practically, even if what I'm wearing isn't fashionable - I'm hardly gonna paint while wearing an expensive dress, or go riding in a pair of designer jeans) and although my tastes are quite selective, I'm also usually open to new experiences/challenges.

 

[Archonsod]

The only real group I spend any time with tends to be made of silicone and circuitry. I don't think I conform to herd behaviour, at least I've never experienced a BSOD yet

 

[Kissaki]

You're on an internet forum. Even though you have no direct contact with the members, you are still, in fact, socializing with real people here. You couldn't do that without the much reviled (for no good reason) herding behaviour.

 

[Jaghatai Khan]

Yeah. I herd with free-thinker,intellectual,silicon-loving atheists on the Internets

 

[Kissaki]

The thing is, we all seek to fit in. Sure there are those who don't want to fit in, and so end up in the company of like-minded individuals

Only hermits -- true hermits, that is, having absolutely no contact with any other sentient creature in any shape or form -- can be said to sufficiently lack herding behaviour.