Copycats and Contrarians: Why We Follow Others. and When We Don't

Baddeley, Michelle

ISBN 10: 0300220227 / ISBN 13: 9780300220223

Published by Yale University Press (edition Illustrated), 2018

It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # 0300220227-8-1

Synopsis:

A multidisciplinary exploration of our human inclination to herd and why our instinct to copy others can be dangerous in today’s interlinked world

Rioting teenagers, tumbling stock markets, and the spread of religious terrorism appear to have little in common, but all are driven by the same basic instincts: the tendency to herd, follow, and imitate others. In today’s interconnected world, group choices all too often seem maladaptive. With unprecedented speed, information flashes across the globe and drives rapid shifts in group opinion. Adverse results can include speculative economic bubbles, irrational denigration of scientists and other experts, seismic political reversals, and more.
 
Drawing on insights from across the social, behavioral, and natural sciences, Michelle Baddeley explores contexts in which behavior is driven by the herd. She analyzes the rational vs. nonrational and cognitive vs. emotional forces involved, and she investigates why herding only sometimes works out well. With new perspectives on followers, leaders, and the pros and cons of herd behavior, Baddeley shines vivid light on human behavior in the context of our ever-more-connected world.

About the Author: Michelle Baddeley is a research professor at the Institute for Choice, University of South Australia. This will be her fifth book.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Copycats and Contrarians: Why We Follow ...
Publisher: Yale University Press (edition Illustrated)
Publication Date: 2018
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Edition: Illustrated.