Think Better · 45 sec
Social proof
A compact thinking tool for spotting patterns and avoiding mistakes.
The useful idea
- The useful idea
Social proof (or informational social influence) is a psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in choosing how to behave in a given situation.
- How it works
The term was coined by Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book Influence: Science and Practice.
- Why it matters
Social proof is used in ambiguous social situations where people are unable to determine the appropriate mode of behavior, and is driven by the assumption that the surrounding people possess more
Why this matters
Use Social proof as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Try this
Use Social proof as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Social proof?
- Why it matters
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
Social proof (or informational social influence) is a psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in choosing how to behave in a given situation.