Somebody You Used To Know
If you tell the truth, does the lie become questionable? If you speak your truth, does it become understandably clear? If you say,(offer information) with clear intent within the framework of your knowledge, does it make it unbelievable? If you tell a lie does it become a truth by an admission of guilt?
People only want to believe what they mentally can handle. If any information goes against what they can deal with, it is met with opposition and anger. Disbelief is a mask covering up discern because it does not align with a value therefore no one wants to admit they have been lied to. The truth Is hard for most to digest. Many are not smart enough to know the difference and they cannot critically think! Especially for themselves. You can apply this to your own life with the people you surround yourself or feel free to take this on a larger world stage.
Is it possible that individuals with limited education or who are less familiar with critical thinking techniques might be more susceptible to becoming followers or conformists in certain situations, particularly when they are confronted with emotionally charged narratives or fear-mongering? However, this tendency to follow a group or conform to popular beliefs is not purely about intelligence but often about psychological and social factors.
Off-topic, I am not sure why I keep writing other than it clears the cobwebs out of my head and it releases all the psych-babble I learned. I might add, it's also for the "ones" that keep minding my business! {I am a writer and I will use what content I know and situations I have been forced to deal with, knowing it will be used for entertainment and informational use!}
What is the definition of a follower?
· Social Media Context:
A follower is someone who subscribes to or chooses to see the content that a
specific person, brand, or account shares on a social media platform. For
example:
- On Instagram or Twitter (X), a follower will see posts,
stories, or updates from the account they follow in their feed.
- Follower counts often reflect the popularity or reach
of an account.
· General Context:
A follower is someone who supports, admires, or is guided by a particular
individual, group, or ideology.
- Example: Someone who adheres to the teachings of a
leader or follows a particular lifestyle philosophy.
· Religious or Philosophical Context:
A follower is someone who subscribes to the beliefs or teachings of a religion,
movement, or school of thought.
- Example: A follower of Buddhism.
· Practical Usage Context:
A follower can also refer to someone who physically follows another person,
such as walking behind them or imitating their actions. Not limited to social media stalking
A conformist is a person who
tends to adopt the behaviors, attitudes, or practices of a group or society,
often aligning with established norms, rules, or expectations. Conformists
typically prioritize fitting in over challenging the status quo or expressing
individuality.
Key
Characteristics of a Conformist:
- Adherence to Social Norms: They follow societal standards, even if those
standards do not align with their personal beliefs.
- Avoidance of Conflict:
They often seek harmony and prefer to avoid disagreements or standing out.
- Resistance to Change:
Conformists may resist innovation or unconventional ideas, favoring
traditions or established practices.
- Desire for Acceptance:
Their actions are often motivated by the desire to be liked, accepted, or
approved by others.
Examples:
- In a workplace, a conformist might go along with a
policy they dislike to maintain their position or avoid conflict.
- In fashion, a conformist might choose to wear trends
popularized by the majority, even if they don’t personally like the style.
Why is it so difficult for a
conformist to use critical thinking?
It can be challenging for a conformist to use critical thinking effectively because of the inherent conflict between conformity and the principles of critical thinking.
1.
Fear of Social Rejection
- Conformists often prioritize group approval over
independent thought. Critical thinking requires questioning established
norms, which might lead to disagreement or isolation from the group.
- Example: A conformist might hesitate to challenge a
popular but flawed idea in a team meeting to avoid being seen as a
disruptor.
2.
Reliance on Authority or Tradition
- Conformists may default to accepting ideas, rules, or
decisions made by authority figures or long-standing traditions. Critical
thinking, however, demands questioning the validity of these sources.
- Example: "We've always done it this way" can
be a barrier to critically analyzing whether the method is still
effective.
3.
Aversion to Conflict
- Critical thinking often uncovers inconsistencies or
flaws in prevailing opinions, which can lead to debate or conflict.
Conformists may avoid critical thinking to maintain peace and avoid
standing out.
- Example: A conformist might agree with the majority
even when presented with evidence that contradicts the group consensus.
4.
Lack of Practice in Independent Analysis
- Conformity can discourage the development of
independent reasoning skills. If a person is used to "going with the
flow," they might not have exercised the cognitive muscles needed for
analyzing and evaluating information critically.
5.
Cognitive Biases Reinforced by Groupthink
- Groupthink, a phenomenon where the desire for harmony
or conformity leads to irrational decision-making, can suppress critical
thinking. Conformists may unconsciously ignore or downplay evidence that
challenges the group's consensus.
6.
Perceived Risk
- Thinking critically and acting on it may involve risks,
such as being wrong, facing criticism, or disrupting the group.
Conformists often see these risks as outweighing the benefits of
independent thought.
I am sure by now you are shaking your head at where I am going with this information!!!!(and my ability to bullet point FACTS!) I laugh, social experiments are wonderful learning tools! And for those who have come up against me for my critical thinking and or the way I apply my practices to life, I have found that people who can not wrap their heads around different or intelligent have a difficult time understanding this concept. Especially if they have been attention seekers and or life-of-the-party types. Let me further explain!
*If a person is the life of the party
and an attention seeker they have more fear of social rejection and becoming a follower
A person who is the "life
of the party" and an attention seeker might still fear social rejection
but could express it differently than a typical conformist. Their fear of
rejection (how dare they be different from their kind) is likely tied to maintaining their status as the center of attention
or as someone admired and liked. Here's how this dynamic might play out:
1.
Motivation Behind Behavior
- Life of the Party:
They thrive on external validation and often work hard to ensure they are
liked, admired, or entertained by others.
- Fear of Rejection: Their attention-seeking behavior can stem from a deep desire to avoid being excluded or overlooked. This could make them susceptible to following trends or norms that ensure their likability. This also is heavily tied with abandonment issues.
2.
Risk of Becoming a Follower
- To maintain their social status, they might align with
popular opinions or mimic behaviors that are widely accepted, even if they
don’t fully agree.
- They may conform to group norms selectively, adopting
behaviors that enhance their ability to remain "the star"
without challenging the group.
3.
Balancing Individuality and Acceptance
- Unlike a typical conformist, they may express
individuality in ways that attract attention while still staying within
the boundaries of what’s acceptable to their social circle.
- Example: They might wear a bold outfit to stand out but
still ensure it's in line with current fashion trends to avoid alienating
others.
4.
Critical Thinking and Nonconformity
- Paradoxically, their desire to stand out could drive
some nonconformist tendencies. For example, they might challenge norms if
it wins admiration for their boldness.
- However, if standing out risks rejection, they might
suppress critical thinking to protect their social standing.
5.
Social Rejection as a Driving Force
- Fear of social rejection could make them a
"situational conformist." They might conform only in settings
where their attention-seeking traits could lead to disapproval.
- In other settings where boldness is celebrated, they may feel freer to express individuality or dissent.
While attention seekers may not
fully embody the characteristics of a follower, their fear of rejection can
lead to selective conformity. Their behavior depends on whether standing out
aligns with maintaining social approval or risks alienating their audience
Which now brings me to ECHO CHAMBERS! The ability to believe anything they hear through repeated words, fabricated lies, and fear-mongering... for the sake of following a crowd or a narrative
1.
Confirmation Bias
- Definition:
The tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that
confirms preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Individuals are consistently exposed to ideas that
align with their existing views, reinforcing those beliefs without the
challenge of alternative perspectives. This limits the ability to
critically evaluate information or reconsider viewpoints.
- Example:
A person in a political echo chamber may dismiss factual evidence from
outside sources as biased, further entrenching their original stance.
2.
Groupthink
- Definition:
A psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony or conformity in a
group suppresses dissenting opinions or critical analysis.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Members of an echo chamber prioritize agreement over
questioning ideas, leading to a lack of innovation or the acceptance of
flawed reasoning.
- Example:
In a social media group, users may avoid challenging dominant narratives
for fear of rejection or backlash.
3.
Cognitive Dissonance Avoidance
- Definition:
The mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or
encountering evidence that contradicts one’s views.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Echo chambers shield individuals from conflicting
information, reducing cognitive dissonance but also limiting their
capacity to evaluate opposing ideas critically.
- Example:
A person avoids engaging with news or content from sources they disagree
with, creating a one-sided understanding of an issue.
4.
Social Identity Theory
- Definition:
Individuals derive part of their identity from group membership, leading
to in-group favoritism and out-group bias.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Individuals in echo chambers often align their beliefs
and behaviors with the group, reinforcing a shared identity. This makes
them resistant to ideas perceived as coming from "out-groups."
- Example:
A sports fan group might reject criticism of their team, not because the
criticism is invalid but because it threatens their identity as loyal
fans.
5.
Reduction in Cognitive Flexibility
- Definition:
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt thinking and consider
multiple viewpoints or strategies.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Repeated exposure to a narrow range of perspectives
reduces the brain’s ability to process and integrate new or contradictory
information.
- Example:
A person exposed only to one-sided arguments on climate change may
struggle to engage with nuanced or multi-faceted discussions on the issue.
6.
Amplification of Emotional Reasoning
- Definition:
Emotional reasoning occurs when feelings are used as the primary basis for
determining truth.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Echo chambers often leverage emotionally charged
content (e.g., fear, anger, pride) to strengthen group cohesion and
reinforce beliefs. This reliance on emotions diminishes logical and
evidence-based reasoning.
- Example:
Viral posts in an echo chamber might appeal to outrage rather than facts,
making it harder for individuals to think critically about the issue.
7.
Illusion of Consensus
- Definition:
The false belief that most people agree with a particular view because opposing
perspectives are not visible or are actively suppressed.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: When surrounded by like-minded individuals, people
overestimate how widely accepted their beliefs are, reinforcing their
confidence in those beliefs and reducing the perceived need for critical
examination.
- Example:
A person in an echo chamber might believe "everyone knows this to be
true," ignoring substantial evidence or opposition outside the group.
8.
Decreased Exposure to Divergent Thinking
- Definition:
Divergent thinking involves exploring multiple perspectives and generating
diverse solutions to a problem.
- Impact in Echo Chambers: Limited exposure to alternative viewpoints narrows
the range of ideas considered, stifling creativity and problem-solving.
- Example:
A group discussing business strategies within a tightly controlled
narrative may miss innovative ideas from outside their immediate circle.
Here's what this might say about them:
1.
Fixed Perception of Identity
- What It Says: They may have a rigid, predefined idea of who you are based on past
interactions, shared experiences, or societal roles. When your critical
thinking challenges that view, it disrupts their mental framework.
- Example:
If whoever sees you as someone who "should" agree with them or align
with group norms, your independent thinking might feel inconsistent or
even threatening to them.
2.
Cognitive Dissonance Avoidance
- What It Says:
Encountering your critical thinking may create cognitive dissonance for
them because it conflicts with their expectations or beliefs about you or the
topic. To resolve this discomfort, they may dismiss your perspective rather
than reevaluate their own.
- Example: Someone might say, "That's not like you," to rationalize dismissing your viewpoint instead of engaging with it. Or blaming your way of learning studying or rationalizing a new way to live not based on an old situation
3.
Group-Identity Focus
- What It Says:
As a conformist, they might derive their sense of identity from shared group
values or norms. Your critical thinking could feel like a rejection of
those shared values, making it harder for her to understand or accept.
- Example:
If they see themselves as part of a specific group (e.g., family, cultural,
or political), your differing perspective might feel like a betrayal or a
challenge to the group’s unity.
4.
Preference for Certainty and Stability
- What It Says:
Conformists often prefer predictable patterns and avoid challenging the
status quo. Your critical thinking introduces complexity and nuance, which
might feel destabilizing or uncomfortable for them.
- Example: They might respond with frustration or defensiveness because your ideas
disrupt their sense of order or stability.
5.
Emotional Reasoning
- What It Says: They may rely on emotional reasoning, equating your critical thinking with
disloyalty, defiance, or a lack of alignment with their feelings or beliefs.
- Example:
Instead of analyzing your perspective logically, they might react
emotionally, saying, "Why are you trying to complicate things?"
or "You just want to argue."
6.
Fear of Change
- What It Says:
Your critical thinking might symbolize broader changes they are uncomfortable
with, such as evolving dynamics in your relationship or shifts in
long-held beliefs.
- Example: They might resist engaging with your ideas because they challenge their
comfort zone or force them to confront the possibility of being wrong.
7.
Projection of Insecurities
- What It Says:
If they feel insecure about their own ability to think critically or
independently, they might project those insecurities onto you by dismissing
your perspectives or questioning your motives.
- Example: They might say, "You’re just trying to prove you’re smarter than
everyone else," projecting their own discomfort with critical thinking
onto you.
How
This Dynamic Reflects on THEM:
- Strong Need for Belonging: Their conformity likely reflects a desire for harmony,
stability, or acceptance within their chosen social circles.
- Cognitive Rigidity: They may struggle to adapt to new ideas or perspectives, especially when
they challenge their established worldview.
- Fear of the Unknown:
Your critical thinking may symbolize uncertainty or conflict, which they may find threatening to her sense of security.
- Emotional Investment in Norms: Their difficulty engaging with your critical thinking
might stem from a deeper emotional attachment to group norms or their
perception of your role within the relationship.
