====== Steve: Bandwagon Effect ======

By: [[steve-wang]]

The Bandwagon Effect is where people start believing what other people believe and doing what others do. Essentially it is where people start acting like sheep and follow the crowd. This is an effect many people fall into because, they want socially validation from others, not believing in the same thing can lead to being ostracised, it is tiring forming other beliefs and thinking, and lack of information. An example of the bandwagon effect is, if most people in an area like a specific band, a person will be more likely to say they like that band too. They might do this to be able to get along and fit in with others and for social validation. Another example is where someone invests in stock that their friends say is good. They might do this because they fear that they might miss out of earning a lot of money. This fear of missing out will cause them to jump on the bandwagon. The Bandwagon Effect can be dangerous if a group of people start doing something dangerous others might follow and get hurt in the process. An example of this would be if a student has friends that smoke, that student might do the same because of the Bandwagon Effect which might have a negative effect on a student's health.