"Anybody else have to go to the bathroom?"

I also agree that basing your decisions on what others will think or doing things only for that reason can greatly impair judgement. It's probably one of the reasons why teens especially often make poor decisions. Peer pressure can cause us to overlook many important things. For myself, sometimes I'll go out with my friends because I feel pressured, even if I'm tired, and then instantly regret it.

A significant example of the negative side effects of social isolation can be seen in solitary confinement in prisons. The reason why solitary confinement is such a terrible punishment is because we as humans need social stimulation; without it, we lose our sense of self and our sense of being human! And the statement about peer pressure is incredibly true; that desire to "belong" to the most desirable clique can have an incredible influence on us and make us behave in ways that would seem idiotic to a bystander. At least we grow out of that need for the most part eventually.

It is interesting to me to see how people's ideas of themselves differ so greatly from the reality. I was entertained by the self-proclaimed "nonconformist" in the video we watched in discussion. He conformed more intensely than any other participants in the experiment! So much of our social influence goes beyond our conscious.

I strongly agree with your opening statement. Conformity tends to be very prevalent among close friend groups, whether it's dressing the same way or getting the same kind of phone. I think its crazy how much people are affected by conformity in our society. Even when an act is clearly wrong, people will act similarly to everyone around them so they don't look like their the odd one out.

I really like the video that you posted, and your blog as well. You brought up great points about how most people think they are very independent but like you said as simple as going to the bathroom or even going to drop of a paper somewhere, people are always asking others to go. I agree when reading the book, it seemed exaggerated but I believe that it is very true and forming and having groups are important to have.

I have never thought that in depth into the idea of going to the bathroom in groups but once you laid it out here for me I understood. I think most people enjoy the company of others even in places as private as the bathroom. This could go as far as your bathroom at home the only exception is it is not socially acceptable. I have wondered if peer pressure is so powerful then why do people hangout with those who will do these destructible things and people who would pressure them even unintentionally. Peer pressure could be used in a good way only if those who are presenting the pressure are people not engaging in inappropriate and dangerous activities.

No one likes being the odd one out. Remember the video from lecture of the "non-conformist" artist guy? He fell to the Asch test in very little time. In a packed sports venue, we go to the concessions together and to the bathroom because we don't want to be singled out. Everyone else is loud and talking, so we feel we should be too. Now days, people can go alone and still feel like they are in a conversation. How many times have you looked at your cell-phone and pretend to text someone?