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What is cognitive bias?
The cognitive bias is a concept of psychology where unconscious and non-systematic errors in thinking diverge one from logic, rationale and results in bad decision making and distorted judgement.
Bandwagon effect is an idea that falls under cognitive bias that states a thought process where one's actions are driven because everyone else is doing it.
What are the causes?
Desire to fit in, humans have a default system of belonging, to fulfill this desire they chase to sense every social gathering whether it is their belonging or not. Finally they select the group of people who made them feel accepted, thus people behave accordingly despite their value system.
Fear of left out, often decisions are made on the available, visible yet limited information. The information is based on actions performed by other people.
Desire to be on the successful side, the success has now become a determinant of an action. People opt for an action and perform it without thinking of the outcome if it is done by majority.
4.Social proof,the action is done, the decision is made only because it is proven socially that this choice will bring certain results ‘only’.
5. Mental shortcuts, pondering on all available information may appear mentally draining, therefore looking at other people and assuming since it is done by them thus it is the correct decision.
A case study for better understanding of Bandwagon effect
Ahmad after completing intermediate level of education was gearing up for graduation. The numerous available options of degree and educational institutes were confusing him, what to choose was becoming harder. The logic demands, ‘follow your interest’ but Ahmad was impressed by the people with Software Engineering degrees and the sum of money they were making out of it. Finally Ahmed decided to go for this degree negating his own interest and enrolled in a sub campus of the university. Four years later Ahmad graduated and was anticipating a good job, but gradually he failed in desire because the practical life’s expectations were opposite. The practical appeared different or harder than theory, thus Ahmad realised this is not his ground and he exited and landed up earning money by the job of a cashier in a huge shopping mall and pondered to leave Pakistan for better job/ earning options. Ahmad’s story is a perfect example of the Bandwagon Effect. He wasted his time, intelligence and money of his parents. If he had followed his interests, contemplated on more options rather than looking at people he would have achieved target goals in life.
