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Makiuso pirme.
What
is it about trends that makes them so pervasive? Are they not similar to an
epidemic, spreading rapidly through society? Why are people so irresistibly
drawn to whatever is considered "in"?
People
get into trends due to a mix of psychological factors, including the desire for
social acceptance and belonging, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the bandwagon
effect, where they follow others to feel included.
Trends
also offer a way to express and explore identity, while cognitive biases like
novelty-seeking and the influence of media amplify their appeal. Additionally,
trends provide psychological comfort by reducing decision-making stress and
aligning individuals with cultural norms, making it easier to fit in and feel
secure in a social context.
Younger
individuals are prone to joining such trends because they are still on the age
of looking for their individual identities. But there are also adults who still
want to be authentic and relevant.
Research
by Cialdini and Goldstein (2004) on social influence shows that excessive
conformity can diminish personal autonomy and self-expression, which are
crucial for psychological well-being.
When
people follow trends without questioning, it can reduce critical thinking and
lead to a passive acceptance of information. A study by Kahneman (2011) on
cognitive biases shows how the availability heuristic, where people rely on
readily available information (often trends), can lead to flawed
decision-making by bypassing deeper analysis.
To
avoid being swept up by trends, one should cultivate self-awareness and
critical thinking. It's important to reflect on whether a trend aligns with
personal values or if it's driven by a desire for social approval.
If
unguarded, this can lead to a sense of disconnection from one's authentic self,
impulsive choices that may have negative consequences, and a constant chase for
external validation. Over time, this can result in a lack of fulfilment and a diminished
sense of self-worth, as one's identity becomes increasingly shaped by external
influences rather than personal convictions.
In
Malcolm Gladwell's “The Tipping Point”, he explores how small changes and
social dynamics can lead to widespread adoption of trends. According to
Gladwell, when individuals follow trends merely to gain acceptance, they often
contribute to a collective shift that might ultimately lead to a superficial or
banal version of selfhood.
A
nondescript identity muddles the mind of the attention-hungry. Then, the mental
well-being will then be affected.
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