Group Behavior

Understanding how people behave in groups

Topics

How does groupthink work?

Groupthink occurs when group cohesion and desire for consensus override critical thinking, leading to poor decisions. It involves pressure for conformity, self-censorship, illusion of unanimity, and suppression of dissenting views.

Why do people follow crowds?

People follow crowds due to informational influence (assuming the crowd knows something), normative influence (wanting to fit in), safety in numbers, reduced responsibility, and evolutionary advantages of group behavior.

Why do people join cults?

People join cults due to vulnerability, need for belonging, search for meaning, charismatic leadership, love bombing, isolation from outside influences, and gradual indoctrination that exploits psychological needs.