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> the solution evolution came up with was to program us to take our cue on that from the people around us Exactly, I cannot agree more. One of the most strikin
by Artoemius 10y ago
> the solution evolution came up with was to program us to take our cue on that from the people around us
Exactly, I cannot agree more. One of the most striking examples of this is a classic experiment where people are no longer able to trust their own judgment in a very simple matter and are compelled to give an obviously wrong answer to avoid deviating from the norm:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments
- hansjorg 10y agoThat was an interesting read. I'm not sure it actually proves your point though, seeing as two thirds of the subjects did not yield. Also, from the end of the article: > Asch's 1951 report emphasised the predominance of independence over yielding saying "the facts that were being judged were, under the circumstances, the most decisive." However, a 1990 survey of US introductory psychology textbooks found that most ignored independence, instead reported a misleading summary of the results as reflecting complete power of the situation to produce conformity of behavior and belief.
- whack 10y agoIt's worth pointing out that 75% of the subjects did yield at some point. "25 percent of the sample consistently defied majority opinion, with the rest conforming on some trials." Ie, when taking the test individually, everyone got the correct answer almost all the time. But when taking the test in a group, 75% gave the incorrect answer at some point.