One Simple Skill to Overcome Peer Pressure | The Behavioral Science Guys

The Behavioral Science Guys, a.k.a. the _New York Times_ bestselling authors David Maxfield and Joseph Grenny, use behavioral science to explain why smart people do dumb things when they’re simply “following the crowd.”

Joseph and David conduct an experiment to explore the power of social influence—also known as peer pressure. They found that 2/3 of any group regardless of gender, age, or background goes along with the crowd proving that social influence is extremely powerful.

However, when the BS Guys introduce a confederate who practices one simple skill—the polite expression of doubt—95% of the test subjects now express their true opinion!

What can we learn? Never underestimate the power of one. When you feel you are the odd person out, don’t stifle your concerns, but learn how to express them respectfully. It turns out the quiet, polite expression of doubt can turn the rest of the group of zombies into thinkers.

[swatcamden]

this literally applies to so many things... such as wanting to ask a question during class but not wanting to because you feel dumb. once a person asks a question about it, others give in and ask questions relating to the topic.

[rashaski]

This so so great!!!! I'm going to use it with my adult clients in the outpatient mental illness/chemical dependency treatment facility where I work as a counselor. Polite dissent is where it's at!

[elec-triciti]

This video was actually in fact relate-able and accurate to how I felt in school when answering questions. Great job on portraying an accurate representation of peer pressure! -Triciti Thao

[BlueJonhy]

I remember I went against my whole class in 7th for a math problem answer and got it right it felt great everyone else agreed with my friends answer

[vickyu]

Peer pressure is something that always happen to us no matter where or when. Especially in high school where people would think we're weird if we act different or did something out of the trends. Just like in the video where the subject of the experiments just follow others answer eventhough he knew it was wrong, we just overthinks everything like "why my answer is different? What if they're correct and i'm the only one who is wrong? What if they think that i'm dumb to answer option c alone?" And its automatically applied to our lifestyle as a teenage. We follow what our peers wearing, what our peers doing and etc. Sometimes when they ask us to do something and we rejected it they start to laugh and call us weirdos, and it make us surrender and start doing what they're doing. It almost feels like they're manipulating us into doing something

[davidsadler]

Watching this video, I am reminded of the 1957 film, "Twelve Angry Men".  Peer pressure is indeed a very powerful influence.

[ShwetaSNath]

Polite doubt !! such a wonderful concept !

[mdriscollmlis]

I'm going to use this in tandem with the classic Abilene Paradox video! Thanks!

[johndough]

and the flipside to this is going it alone is a very risky endeavor which crashes and burns at huge failure rates. Thus the reason people see a huge advantage in "following the crowd".

[markheifner]

Find your voice, stand up for what is right! Leader in Me (Habit 8) Find your Voice

[mospies]

thank you i learn something today. you guys are awesome!!! polite expression is the answer. uh huh.
im subscribed.

[mentalrelaxation]

As an social introvert I got no trouble.

[BarbaraVanHeel]

This has nothing to do with the concept, but I thought I'd just make sure you are aware that the captioning covers up other words at a couple points in the video.

[Kmooooedits]

That was very helpful thank you sooo much

[eyetie]

I'm wondering if, after the one teenager expressed doubt, the others didn't just jump on that band wagon. Is there a way to control for the ebb and flow of peer pressure? I think of my daughters, one day loving a specific entertainer, then the next shunning the same entertainer when the crowd turns on them. Just some

[kenyaarata]

This is the perfect example that Pilate displays when he handed Jesus over to the crowd

[inspirationalgrandma]

I love your video test. I have my own youtube channel. What can you tell me to help children to resist negative peer pressure and influence positive peer pressure? I am always looking for advice. Thx

[charlieyoung]

Okay what happens if someone offers you something bad but you could not give to fucks and take it without a second thought is that still peer pressure?

[austin]

Why B.S guys? Thats some real B.S there!

[MoltenPlane]

THIS IS VERY HELPFUL AND I LEARNED A LOT LMAO 👌