The Majority Effect

What is the Majority or Pulse Effect?

A Tribute to Princess Diana of Wales

The Majority Effect is a phenomenon where people tend to conform to the beliefs, ideas, rules of the society based on the quantity of numbers. In other words, the effect is simply characterized by a decision rule made by more of the half of the total numbers of people voting on a given pulse or issue. The saying "Majority Wins" is such that effect.

The tendency to follow the beliefs of others happens due to social pressure, cultural preference, individual adaptation and the "follow the leader" notion. However, although the beliefs are accepted by the many, it doesn't mean they are correct, void, or true, regardless of any overwhelming evidence.

For instance - Religion. Specifically, the belief that there is a God.

Religion is made up of hundreds of thousands of followers coming from all walks of life. The mere fact that they are millions or even billions of devotees all over the world who believe in some forms of God or Gods, their strength in numbers seems to show overwhelming evidence that proves there is God or that God exists. Not mentioning, some of them are well-renowned scientists, engineers, mathematicians, authors, educators, attorneys, philosophers, and neurologists who vouch on their skills and intelligence. However, the number of believers or the quality of one's social status is not concrete evidence that provides proof there is a God. Their beliefs and actions are simply the effects of the Majority Rule Phenomena - a cognitive bias.

To better understand how humans' social belief systems originated, some encouraging evidence needs knowing are listed below:

1. The Caveman in the Box Trilogy
2. The Software Illusion
3. The Codexation Dilemma
4. The Guesswork Predicament
5. The Creator Arguments

Aside from these supporting theories, let me also discuss The Double Life Diversion.

In my article "Life is an Illusion", I pointed out that what we sense from our environment are all but by-products of our imagination. When we remove our brains, the sensations vanish. Consciousness ka-poofs! However, because of the sensation of reality persists in our minds, we think that it exists. If Life exists, then which of our Double Lives is the real one that we experience day to day? This is mind-boggling but we all relatively live in a two-sided life!

As a starter, please read this article: What is Life?

( ... some random thoughts ... not yet edited ... to be continued ...)

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, 
one day someone might do the same for you."
~ Princess Diana

Disclaimer: The author retains the copyright to most of the research materials on this site unless cited otherwise. However, some of the articles are edited on a day to day basis without notice. If you are interested to use any of these works for the purpose of scholarly study or debate, please first inform the author by email or cite the author's name or source as follows: A Journal of a Creative Mind, Joey Lawsin, 1988, USA.

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