Introduction
Social psychologists have long been interested in studying social conformity and the human need to be liked by peers. It is common for individuals to compromise their beliefs in favor of the group to accomplish a common goal. This is so because individuals are likelier to follow the general norms than deviate from them.
This study aims to investigate the root reasons for this occurrence. Stories like “When Good People Do Bad Things,” “The Man in the Well,” and “Old Glory” all deal with this issue and exhibit different aspects of the herd mentality. Conformity’s cornerstones include playing it cool, blending in, sharing the load, and going along with the crowd. Reading these stories, we can better understand what drives some people to reject their own moral beliefs in favor of those of the majority.
The Man in the Well
When surrounded by others, a person may lose some of their sense of self-awareness. Many people use the word “deindividuation” to describe this thinking. When trying to achieve a consensus as individuals, deindividuation is crucial. The notion is put into practice by the narrator and the various characters in “The Man in the Well” when they decide not to save the drowning boy. It’s up to the viewers to decide what side of the argument they’re on and whether or not to display it.
The person narrating says, “Everyone, like myself, was probably on the verge of fetching a rope or asking where we could find a ladder, but then we looked around at each other, and it was decided.” (Sher, 1995) Deindividuation, or the act of making one’s values secondary to those of the people, is exemplified by this statement. Ultimately, despite their best efforts, they determined that doing nothing was the most responsible option. They probably behaved this way to avoid being singled out by the guests.
When Good People Do Bad Things
Protecting individuals’ right to privacy over their data is one of the most effective strategies to boost team productivity. According to the author of the book “When Good People Do Bad Things,” which examines the topic of anonymity in groups, “when people are in a group, they feel more anonymous, and they are less likely to be discovered doing anything wrong.”
According to recent studies (Trafton, 2014), criminals that work together are more challenging to catch. Also, it’s likely that while they’re in the company of others, they’ll feel less responsible for their actions. Anonymity reduces people’s concern about getting in trouble with the law (Trafton, 2014). When people believe they can do wrong and have the team’s backing, they are more inclined to do so. Therefore, individuals are less likely to feel the need to stand out and are more inclined to adhere to the group’s norms.
Old Glory
Another piece of literature highlighting organizational dynamics’ power is Old Glory, in which the concept of “herd mentality” plays a crucial role. Donald is the kind of character in the story who will follow the recommendations of his friends regardless of whether or not they are ethical. If he did that, he said, “My friends would think I was a real hero.” As he continued, he added, “I felt embarrassed and scared, but I was also a little excited to see the SOS men.”
Donald may have been concerned about keeping excellent links with his social group, as seen by his actions (Coville, 2011). To avoid standing out as a “herd” anomaly (Coville, 2011), he adopts the viewpoints held by the community to which he belongs. His goal in acting in this way is, to put it simply, to avoid having his exceptionality brought to anyone’s attention. If you have a “herd mentality,” you follow the crowd even if you know what they are doing is wrong.
Conclusion
The short tales “When Good People Do Bad Things,” “The Man in the Well,” and “Old Glory” may provide light on the dynamics at play when people feel pressured to follow the crowd. When people join large gatherings, they typically put aside their identities and values in favor of the group, even if their ideas and ideals are entirely at odds with the person’s own. This is the case regardless of whether or not the people’s objectives take precedence over the individuals’.
These examples show how interactions between members of an organization may shape each person’s sense of self and responsibility. Something has to happen before we can have consistency. People with no interest in thinking for themselves and are unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions are typical of the masses. When we have a better understanding of these ideas, we may investigate how the perspectives of others influence us and how we react to those perspectives in various social settings. We don’t have to worry about being forced to do something against our will.
References
Coville, B. (2011). Old Glory. Independent Publisher.
Sher, I. (1995). The man in the well. Bible Institute Colportage.
Trafton, A. (2014). When good people do bad things. HarperCollins e-Books.