From Introduction to Psychology - Ninth Edition, Chapter 6, under 'Social Learning':
"Why do we imitate? Other people's behavior often provides information. Did you ever have this experience? You tell your parents you want to do something because "everyone else" is doing it. They scream, "If everyone else were jumping off a cliff, would you do it, too?" Well, let's think about it. If literally everyone were jumping off a cliff, maybe they have a reason! Maybe you're in great danger where you are, and it would be safer to jump. Maybe if you jump, you won't fall very far, and you'll land on something soft. If everyone is doing it, you should at least consider the possibility that they know something you don't."Thank you James W. Kalat!
*Before anyone asks, it's from Into the Woods.
hmm, now you've got me thinking. (Darn you Carly, I try to avoid that at all costs!)
ReplyDeleteI clearly wrote D A R N, but in lower case it looks like I'm calling down divine punishment on you - and incorrectly spelled to boot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up, Lisa.
ReplyDelete"If everyone is doing is it, you should at least consider the possibility that they know something you don't." haha That's the sole reason I joined facebook. Hmmm. I'm still trying to figure out what they know that I don't.
What if it is just plane fun? Seriously, have you ever been cliff diving? I would totally jump of a cliff into a lake, and not because everyone else was doing it, but I would be the one starting the cliff diving phase! Unless of course, everyone jumped right after each other, then I don't really want to get squished on my way up by people jumping in. So I guess I would jump very last!
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