Cognitive Psychology: Which Way Is Public Opinion Blowing?

In today’s world, most people are more concerned with what society thinks than with what their conscience says. What’s more, it is not uncommon for individuals or corporations to favour popularism over morality. In fact, if you uphold moral standards, people think you're weird. The way I see it, a society that is obsessed with sociotropy is the new norm.

How, then, does one escape from public opinion or social scrutiny when one doesn’t adhere to what society considers normal? The answer is straightforward: remain true to yourself. Although it may sound easy, for most people, it's not these days! I say this with a heavy heart: integrity is on the verge of extinction as people’s mindsets are changing and will continue to change for the worse. You see, the main issue is that most people desire acceptance (and a sense of belonging) and will go to any length to obtain it, even if it means compromising their values.

Seemingly, people with low self-esteem dread rejection and being an outcast the most. Yet, you’ve got to wonder if the average individual recognises their worth or if they’re too consumed with pursuing trends and pleasing people they don’t even know on social media. 

Why do the opinions of people we don't even know matter so much? Sadly, people today are under pressure to comply with societal norms and standards, even if they contradict their values. In truth, very few people remain true to themselves because very few people have a sense of identity.