In the context of social psychology, how does herd behavior typically affect individuals within a group?

• A. It causes individuals to become less aware of the behaviors of others in the group.
• B. It increases the likelihood that individuals will conform to group actions or decisions, even if they personally disagree.
• C. It leads individuals to make decisions based solely on logical reasoning, ignoring social cues.
• D. It encourages individuals to act independently and resist group influence.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of herd behavior in social psychology, which refers to individuals in a group acting collectively without centralized direction, often influenced by the actions and decisions of others.
2. Step 2: Recognize that herd behavior typically leads to increased conformity, where individuals align their behaviors, opinions, or decisions with those of the group, even if they personally disagree.
3. Step 3: Analyze why herd behavior does not cause individuals to become less aware of others' behaviors; in fact, it often involves heightened awareness and imitation of group actions.
4. Step 4: Note that herd behavior is not primarily about logical reasoning; instead, it is driven by social influence and the desire to fit in, which can override individual logical analysis.
5. Step 5: Conclude that herd behavior encourages conformity and group cohesion rather than independent action or resistance to group influence.