Scientific Definition
We look to others to decide what's correct.
Plain-English Definition
We look to others to decide what's correct.
Feynman Explanation
If everyone is wrong, it stops feeling wrong.
Core Principle
We look to others to decide what's correct.
Mechanisms
We look to others to decide what's correct.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
If everyone is wrong, it stops feeling wrong.
Examples
- Pricing accepted because 'others charge that too.'
- Strategy by mimicry, dressed up as benchmarking.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Form the thesis first. Use peer behavior as a data point, not as the conclusion.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Form the thesis first. Use peer behavior as a data point, not as the conclusion.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
We overweight whoever has the bigger title in the room.
Adopting beliefs because the room already did.
Spending disproportionate energy on trivial decisions.
Diffused responsibility means nothing happens.
Once we say it publicly, we'll defend it past the data.
Forgetting what it's like not to know what you know.
Assuming everyone secretly agrees with us.
Their failure: character. Our failure: situation.
Low expectations produce low performance.
One strong trait colors judgment of unrelated traits.
We extend more trust, benefit of the doubt, and rope to 'our people.'
We're more persuaded by people we like.