Why Feeling Inadequate Might Make Us Follow the Crowd

The notion that feeling inadequate can push people to follow the crowd has been around for a while. In the mid-20th century, researchers explored this idea. They found that when people felt incompetent, they were more likely to conform. However, these findings are quite old. So, the question arises: do these results still hold up in today's world? To find out, a recent study revisited this topic. It focused on the idea that people have a basic need to feel competent. This need is a key part of self-determination theory. This theory suggests that when this need is not met, people might act in ways that are not truly their own. The study involved 126 participants. Researchers manipulated how participants felt about their own abilities. Some were made to feel competent, while others were made to feel incompetent. Then, they observed how these feelings affected conformity. The results were clear. Those who felt incompetent were more likely to go along with the crowd. On the other hand, those who felt competent were less likely to conform. This supports the idea that feeling incompetent can lead to conformity. It also shows that this relationship is still relevant today. Self-determination theory helps explain why this happens. When people feel incompetent, they might feel out of control. To regain a sense of control, they might conform to others. This way, they can avoid feeling even more inadequate. However, this conformity is not genuine. It is a way to cope with feeling incompetent. It is not a true reflection of their own desires or beliefs. The study's findings have important implications. They show that feeling incompetent can have a big impact on behavior. This is something to consider in various settings, from schools to workplaces. If people feel incompetent, they might conform more. This could affect their decisions and actions. Understanding this can help create environments where people feel more competent. This could lead to more genuine and autonomous behavior. There is still more to explore. Future research could look at different factors that might influence this relationship. For example, how does age or culture affect it? Also, what other needs might be at play? Understanding these nuances can provide a more complete picture. It can help create strategies to support people's sense of competence. This can lead to more authentic and self-determined behavior.