What is pluralistic ignorance?
Pluralistic ignorance occurs when most members of a group privately reject a norm but follow it because they believe most others accept it. We humans have a tendency to conform to what the majority does, especially when a situation is unclear. We look to those around us to figure out what is happening and what we should do. This often results in incorrect decisions based on the actions, or inactions, of others, such as remaining silent when you believe something is wrong. This cognitive bias can cause a team, friend group, or company to make decisions that few, if any, truly believe are right.
At work, pluralistic ignorance might appear when a new project plan is presented and no one raises objections, even though many think it is too ambitious. The silence is interpreted as agreement, leading to the plan being implemented despite significant risks that no one addressed.
Negative consequences
Pluralistic ignorance can have several negative consequences for an organization, such as:
Few people say what they truly think
People change their opinions to fit what they mistakenly believe is the group norm
The quality of decision-making declines because choices are based on false assumptions rather than actual opinions
An organizational culture develops that few truly want to be part of
High employee turnover
It is therefore important for organizations to find ways to prevent pluralistic ignorance from taking hold.
How to reduce it?
One study of students’ attitudes toward alcohol consumption found that most students felt personally less comfortable with drinking culture on campus than they thought their peers were. Still, they continued drinking heavily to avoid deviating from what they believed to be the norm, thus reinforcing the very pressure they disliked. When the students were informed about the phenomenon and how it related to their own perceptions, both alcohol consumption and the occurrence of pluralistic ignorance decreased.
This suggests that simply making the phenomenon known, such as by reading this article, can increase awareness of how we misinterpret what others think, and help us do so less often.
Organizations can reduce pluralistic ignorance by:
Building a feedback culture that ensures all perspectives are heard
Fostering psychological safety within teams and across the organization
Encouraging disagreement and discussion without fear of punishment for challenging existing truths
Ensuring open communication where leaders explain what is happening and why as early as possible in any process, including when there are matters they cannot yet discuss
Understanding pluralistic ignorance can improve awareness of how an organization functions and lead to better decision-making.
But this knowledge should not remain with leadership alone. Everyone benefits from becoming more conscious of how we are influenced by the choices of others to speak up, stay silent, act, or refrain from acting. The more familiar people are with pluralistic ignorance, the more likely they are to voice what they believe is right, allowing the organization to make better use of its ideas, creativity, and expertise.
