Pluralistic Ignorance

Pluralistic ignorance is a social phenomenon that is especially prevalent during times of uncertainty. When we are in a new or unfamiliar environment or circumstance, we find ourselves searching for appropriate behaviors or reactions. Typically, we look to the behaviors and reactions of others to guide our own response. Thus, our response is not based on what is right or effective, it is predicated primarily on what others are doing.

When caught up in pluralistic ignorance, we do not really understand why we or anyone is given to a specific response or a set of reactions. Others are doing it and that seems to be compelling enough. Later, we then justify our “herding” with the group with more rational answers. But if we are honest with ourselves, the real reason boils down to “everyone else is doing it.”

You have likely asked your child a question to the effect of, “If Timmy jumped off a bridge, would you?” But we need to be asking ourselves, “If all my peers were jumping off a bridge, would I?”

When faced with uncertainty, you must not abandon critical thinking. Whether it is following the crowd simply because it is the crowd or going against the grain for the sole purpose of defying the masses, you are engaging in pluralistic ignorance. In either case you are allowing the herd to dictate your actions.

Remember to critically examine your actions and decisions. Resist the pull (or push) of the herd and do not blindly accept or reject their response. Rather, live by the words of I Thessalonians 5:21, “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

Comments

Toxic Humility

We have all seen false humility: the guy who tries to hide his arrogance with feigned modesty. It’s usually pretty obvious and always obnoxious. But there is also another variation of false humility out there: toxic humility. This is often displayed in self-deprecating talk and a lack of self-confidence, belittling or undermining one’s own talents and abilities. The danger in this kind of behavior is twofold: it is too often accepted as true humility and like a virus, it spreads doubt and disbelief. To clarify, it is not that the bearer of this toxic humility isn’t honest about his view of himself. That is the very issue: he absolutely believes he has little value or utility. He thinks downplaying his own worth is humility but I disagree. CS Lewis said it best when he wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking about yourself less.” His point being, true humility is not an ever-present raincloud of self-doubt that follows you around. It’s a focus on

Glutton for Punishment

I’ve learned over the years that being comfortable can be a dangerous thing. I try to find paths to discomfort to push me out of my realm of “safety.” However, I have noticed my ability to develop comfort zones amidst discomfort. I’ve found ways to be comfortable in uncomfortable circumstances. I wonder, do I need to be stretched beyond those areas as well? One of the areas in which I have adapted to the discomfort is the gym. I don’t go to the gym to exercise, to get stronger or even to be healthier. It’s grown beyond that. Now, I go to the gym to clear my head by testing my will and resolve. I do it to see how hard I can push my limits and I strive to outwork everyone else there. I may not be the strongest, the fastest or the fittest. I may not lift the most weight or even do the most reps – I can’t control any of those variables – but I can control my effort. So one of my goals for each workout is to unleash more effort than anyone else at the gym. But along with this

Commitment

You know what the problem is with a lot of goals and grand plans? They are mostly fueled by emotion rather than commitment. It is why most New Year’s Resolutions are long forgotten by now and many aspirations quietly fizzle out over time. True commitment is sticking with the effort even – if and especially when – the emotion has diminished or disappeared. Emotion can be a great initiator of action, like kindling on a fire, but it lacks staying power. Commitment is the logs that keep the fire burning long after the kindling is consumed. The butterflies after falling in love, the best intentions of waking up at 4:30am every day to work out after you join a new gym, the excitement of your first day on campus, even the sleep-deprivation induced euphoria of a new baby: all kindling. But it is commitment that keeps you working hard on the marriage twenty-three years after “I do.” It is what causes you to keep going when you do not want to make one more sales call, do one more presentat

Mindset Matters

Search This Blog