herdthink
Collective mental conformity
Herdthink describes the tendency to adopt opinions, behaviors, or beliefs simply because others in a group hold them, rather than through independent reasoning.
It emphasizes the uncritical nature of conformity, suggesting that people follow the crowd much like animals in a herd.
Social media amplifies herdthink by making popular opinions more visible.
The term carries a dismissive tone, implying intellectual laziness or cowardice in those who succumb to it.
Adherence to norms
- mob mentalityCollective irrationality in groups
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
social proof · hivemind · unanimity · compliance · deindividuation · normalization · cognitive bias · tribalism
Biased information for influence
- nationalismDevotion to one's country
- populismPolitics favoring ordinary citizens
- rallyGathering for a cause
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
party loyalty · authoritarian · demagogue · ideological purity · political tribalism · jingoism · McCarthyism · witch hunt
Spreading quickly online
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- filter bubbleAlgorithm-created information isolation
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
cancel culture · pile-on · retweets · likes · hashtag activism · doomscrolling · comment sections · Twitter mob
Automatic approval-givers
- corporate cultureShared workplace values, norms
- meetingsOrganized group assemblies
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- team dynamicsHow members relate collectively
office politics · rubber-stamping · sycophancy · risk aversion · strategic silence
conformity
Adherence to norms
- mob mentalityCollective irrationality in groups
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
peer pressure · social proof · hivemind · unanimity · compliance · deindividuation · normalization · cognitive bias · tribalism · social conformity
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- nationalismDevotion to one's country
- populismPolitics favoring ordinary citizens
- rallyGathering for a cause
chanting · party loyalty · authoritarian · demagogue · ideological purity · political tribalism · jingoism · McCarthyism · witch hunt · scapegoating
viral
Spreading quickly online
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- filter bubbleAlgorithm-created information isolation
social media · cancel culture · pile-on · retweets · likes · hashtag activism · doomscrolling · comment sections · Twitter mob · upvotes
yes-men
Automatic approval-givers
- corporate cultureShared workplace values, norms
- meetingsOrganized group assemblies
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
team dynamics · office politics · rubber-stamping · sycophancy · risk aversion · strategic silence
herdthinkindependent thought
Self-directed reasoning
freethinking · iconoclasm · dissent · contrarianism · nonconformity
herdthinkcritical thinking
Objective evaluation of information
critical analysis · skepticism · analytical thinking · evidence-based reasoning · intellectual rigor
herd, think, herds, herded, herding, herdsman, herder, thinks, thinking