The Consequences of Following the Crowd, an Essay

When we hear the word “consequences,” we tend to think “negative.” According to Dictionary.com, however, the definition of consequence is “the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.” This definition illustrates that consequences can be both positive and negative. This holds true with following the crowd – you might lose your sense of self, you might believe dangerously false information, you might even be pulled into a mob intent on killing or otherwise harming others. However, you also have a higher likelihood of getting that amazing job or getting into exclusive clubs. You might even be mistaken as having traits that society deems “positive,” just because you hang around people who have those traits. It’s all about nuance and having the responsibility and common sense to determine which consequences are positive…and which are negative.

The recent pandemic has highlighted just how much mob mentality has gripped the United States. Despite the well-publicized studies on just how well masks work (Bai, UC San Francisco), as much as 15% of adults say they do not wear a mask regularly (Schaeffer, Pew Research Center) when asked in a self-reporting survey conducted by Pew Research. In another survey by the same group, 3 in 10 Americans reported believing that COVID-19 was created in a lab (Lauerman, Pew Research Center). The truth, however, is far less devious – according to scientists at the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 originally came from bats, and naturally adapted to spread between humans and other animals, such as cats.

So why do people seemingly ignore solid evidence that proves them incorrect? The answer is simple: they surround themselves with people who think the way they do. Oftentimes, they don’t see the contradicting evidence or purposefully ignore it. Some even pull more conspiracy theories into the mix in an effort to debunk it – theories that fall flat on their faces when scrutinized.

The human desire to fit in doesn’t help, either. The Ashford Conformity Experiment conducted in 1951 found that 32% of participants gave the wrong answer when everyone else around them did, therefore “conforming” with the crowd (Mcleod, Simply Psychology).

Take Nazi Germany, for example. Not everyone agreed with Hitler’s stance and policies, as evident by the network that helped people facing persecution escape. But enough people went along with it that it took his death to bring a stop to the discrimination, killings, and internment camps. After all, if you disagreed publicly, or if someone even thought that you disagreed, you would be ostracized at best – maybe even killed.

This sort of mob mentality is still around today – in 2018, a mob of angry Brazilians ransacked a campsite used by Venezuelan immigrants after four Venezuelans allegedly stabbed and beat a local shop owner (Vallamar, Rueters). It did not matter that the camp was composed of 1,200 Venezuelans, the majority of whom were innocent. It did not matter that there were children in that camp. It did not matter that these people were fleeing Venezuela for a better life. Fear, anger, and adrenaline had gripped the mob – all it took was a few people to light the proverbial match.

However, society’s need to conform can be beneficial, if utilized correctly. A study conducted in 2018 indicated that 33 to 34% of hiring managers look unfavorably at having “unnatural” hair. About 23% to 29% look unfavorably at having tattoos (Hess, CNBC). In other words, not standing out in a way that society deems “odd” will help you get that high paying job.

On the other hand, not conforming could lead you to that amazing job. An online dating ghost writer makes, on average, $23.84 per hour. Veterinary Acupuncturists make $34.78 on average (Indeed Career Guide). Neither of these jobs are “normal,” but they are high-paying.

Following the crowd can impact how others view you, as well. If you are not very bright, but you are friends with a lot of people who are, people will start to view you as smart. The opposite is also true – if you are intelligent, but most of your friends are not, then others will view you are dumb.

Nepotism utilizes this aspect very well – if you are friends with some powerful people, you can name drop and get into otherwise exclusive jobs and venues, especially if you have picked up their habits and mannerisms.

In conclusion, following the crowd can have both negatives and positives. Conforming helped lead to tragedies like the holocaust and riots and helps the spread of misinformation…but it can also help you land that job or get into that club. So how can you tell whether you are utilizing it properly or not? A good rule of thumb is to keep your perspective open – don’t dismiss something out of hand because it doesn’t align with your current way of thinking. And remember, it doesn’t hurt it be non-conforming. In the words of Rob Siltanen, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

Works Cited

“15 Odd Jobs That Pay Well.” Indeed Career Guide, 4 Feb. 2020, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/odd-jobs-that-pay-well.

Bai, Nina. “Still Confused About Masks? Here's the Science Behind How Face Masks Prevent Coronavirus.” Still Confused About Masks? Here's the Science Behind How Face Masks Prevent Coronavirus | UC San Francisco, 30 Sept. 2020, www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent.

Hess, Abigail J. “Survey of 850 Hiring Managers Finds That This Is the No. 1 Thing That Can Sabotage Your Interview.” CNBC, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2018, www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/this-is-the-no-1-thing-that-can-sabotage-your-interview.html.

Kramer, Stephanie. “More Americans Say They Are Regularly Wearing Masks in Stores and Other Businesses.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 27 Aug. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/27/more-americans-say-they-are-regularly-wearing-masks-in-stores-and-other-businesses/.

Lauerman, John, and Janice Kew. “COVID-19 Originated in Bats, Can Infect Cats, WHO Says.” Time, Time, 8 May 2020, time.com/5834097/coronavirus-origin-bats-infect-cats-who/.

Mcleod, Saul. “Solomon Asch - Conformity Experiment.” Asch Conformity Experiment | Simply Psychology, 28 Dec. 2018, www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html.

Schaeffer, Katherine. “Nearly Three-in-Ten Americans Believe COVID-19 Was Made in a Lab.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 17 Aug. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/08/nearly-three-in-ten-americans-believe-covid-19-was-made-in-a-lab/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center.

Villamar, Inacio Doce. Tense Calm on Brazil-Venezuelan Border after Anti-Immigrant Riot. 19 Aug. 2018, www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-brazil-border/tense-calm-on-brazil-venezuelan-border-after-anti-immigrant-riot-idUSKCN1L40LU?feedType=RSS.