5. Herd Mentality
Herd Mentality is the embodiment of “Everyone else was doing it” — the mistaken believe that the masses can’t be wrong.
In Short: When we see a lot of people doing the same thing, it’s natural to think that whatever they’re doing is right. We’re a social species, after all. But Herd Mentality can lead us to act without thinking, overlooking key data that might cause us to make different decisions.
For Example: Imagine strolling through Paris with your spouse, trying to find a place to eat. You see two restaurants, side-by-side, completely identical except for the fact that one is 90% full and the other is totally empty. Almost anyone — especially those not fluent in French — would pick the one that’s nearly full.