What is bandwagon effect? How does it impact us in our daily lives?

Colourful Wagons were used to transport the Circus groups and their musical bands in earlier times in a parade or procession in order to attract more people to watch/attend the circus. And hence the name bandwagon came into being.

People used to get attracted to these parades, and take interest in it, and many would try to be part of the parade by climbing on to it.  And hence the phrase jumping on the bandwagon came into being.

Today that phrase is used for people taking up an idea or activity or making a decision, beliefs, trends, behaviors etc, based on how popular it is, based on how other people are responding to it, based upon other people’s decisions and what other people do. And this is called the bandwagon effect.

Primarily this is a cognitive bias, where our mind makes decisions based upon other people’s decisions and choices, without giving adequate consideration to our own opinions, beliefs and preferences.

The more popular it is, more people take it up, and it seems to gain legitimacy and validity. The argument that – so many people can’t be wrong, comes into effect. And others rely on an assumption that the people who have already adopted the idea must have made the decision after critically validating it.  This makes one’s own critical thinking take a back seat and follow the herd mentality comes into being.  

Let’s look at some common examples of the bandwagon effect

1.  Choices for education and careers

It has been well known that the most popular choices for students for under graduation are actually decided based upon the fact that many others make the same choices, creating a great rush and demand for these specific courses. Parental Expectations on the children also follow the same lines.

2. TV shows or entertainment channels

One of the main reasons why TRP ratings are very closely monitored, calculated and promoted is that when a lot of people seem to watch the same program or channel, it will encourage the other people also to do the same.  When a lot of other people are watching the same program you don’t want to miss out and you also end up watching the same.

3. Influences on the undecided population in terms of voting

Quite a number of people have an inherent desire to be on the winning side. So when a political party is seen to have the support of majority of people, and is seen as the winning side, a significant amount of the undecided population tends to align with the winning side.  This means, more votes and more support for the political party.

4. TO influence consumer behavior to buy a product

When a product is considered to be popular and considered to be used by many people, it influences a lot other people who were initially neutral, to give it a try. This provides additional customer base for the product. The key is to convince a significant amount of population, who are non consumers of the product into believing that this product is used by everyone else.

5. Being influenced by people around us

Band wagon effect can also be a positive influence also.  When surrounded by people who are health conscious, who eat right and exercise, it can make the person also be health conscious.  When you are surrounded by people who are negative and negativity, and you and you also feel down and not ok. 

It is not that we are helpless against the bandwagon effect. The agency is with us, the power is with us to actually determine whether we want to be positively influenced by it or be influenced by it to our detriment. 

It is recommended that

• We be aware of the bandwagon effect
• Spend some deliberate time on our decision making process
• Be aware of the alternative choices, options, including the popular choices in vogue
• Apply our own critical thinking process and validate the choices in fray
• Take a decision/make a choice which is aligned to our beliefs, values and requirements

About the Author:

Kala Balasubramanian is a certified Counselling Psychologist/Psychotherapist with a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Diplomas in Counselling and has further certifications specializing in couple/marriage/relationship counselling and family counselling. As a professional counsellor she provides a supportive, understanding, professional and confidential environment to work with clients – Individuals and Couples explore their emotions, help them understand and manage their challenges, relationships and stress better.