Just Ask Jenna Looks At Our Herd Mentality

by Jenna C, ’26

Dear Jenna, 

I was at dinner with my friends last weekend, and everyone seemed to agree on something that I wasn’t totally sure about. I went along with it in the moment, but once I got home I realized I probably would have thought differently if I were on my own. Why does being in a group change how confident I feel about my own opinions?

From,
Second Guessing at Dinner

Dear Second Guessing at Dinner,

Being in a group can subtly change how confident you feel, even when you normally trust your own judgement. At dinner, it is easy to go along with what everyone else is saying, especially when the conversation is moving quickly and no one seems to disagree. In the moment, staying quiet or nodding along often feels easier than slowing things down or standing out. 

In economics, this connects to conformity bias, which is the tendency to adjust your opinions or behavior to match the group around you. This same behavior appears in financial markets through herd behavior, where investors are drawn to the same popular stocks simply because others are buying them. When people see many investors rushing into the same company, it can create the impression that it must be a smart or safe choice, even if they have not fully evaluated it themselves. The confidence of the group can feel more persuasive than individual judgement. 

This tendency is not limited to investing. As consumers, people often gravitate toward products that seem popular or widely liked, assuming that if everyone else is buying something, it must be good. In both markets and everyday situations, agreement from others can make alternative opinions feel riskier, even when they are just as reasonable. 

This does not mean you lack confidence or independent thinking. It just shows how powerful group dynamics can be. Taking time afterward to reflect on what you actually think can help separate your own opinion from the influence of the moment. Sometimes your real view becomes clearer once you are away from the table.

Best of luck!
Jenna 

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