Normative Social Influence
Conforming to be accepted rather than because you agree; about a third of Asch's critical trials produced public agreement with an obviously wrong majority, and the effect is larger in collectivist settings.
An everyday example
Agreeing with a number in a meeting that you privately know is wrong.
What it can cost you
Decisions recorded as consensus that nobody believed; manufactured majorities.
Warning signs
- I said what the room said.
- Nobody has disagreed yet, and that worries me.
One thing to do
Get private, written views before discussion; a single ally cuts conformity dramatically, so find one before the meeting.
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