Bandwagon Effect - Explained
What is the Bandwagon Effect?
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 22nd, 2024
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What is the Bandwagon Effect?
The bandwagon effect is a psychological theory whereby people exhibit certain habits primarily because others are engaged in the habit. This theory connotes a contagious effect in which people do something only because others are doing it.
The bandwagon effect has to do with majority support. It is the tendency of people to follow an opinion or buy a product because it has majority support or because it is popular.
Bandwagon Effect Origin
The bandwagon effect originated in the 19th century, when a wagon is used to transport people during campaigns.
During this period, Zachary Taylor was bidding for presidency and Dan Rice, an entertainer, traveled the country in a wagon campaigning for the candidate.
Seeing the campaign, a lot of people jumped on the wagon, regardless of whether Taylor was their desired candidate or not.
Given the bandwagon effect, the campaign recorded a huge success and Zachary Taylor emerged as the president-elect of the United States.
In recent times, this social and psychological phenomenon is used to describe the tendency of people to jump on an idea of action, because others are doing the same.