Doing the right thing Quote by Jonah Berger
““Even in cases where most people are doing the right thing, talking about the minority who are doing the wrong thing can encourage people to give in to temptation.””
About This Quote
Highlighting a few bad actors can tempt others to follow, undermining overall good behavior.
In simple terms: Focusing on minorities can encourage bad behavior.
Key Takeaway
Avoid overemphasizing negative examples.
Themes
ethics
social influence
behavior
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- marketing
- public policy
- education
Key Concepts
moral psychology
group dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we promote good behavior without spotlighting bad?
- What stories illustrate the opposite effect?
A Different Perspective
Positive norms can be diluted by negative focus.
![“[If] we can celebrate that in a way that celebrates our love for New England as well as our love for the Italian culture as well as the American culture, then we've done something that's really good and supporting these fishermen who are doing the right thing in sustainability . . . paying…” quote by Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ea/mario-batali-4002_american-culture_if-we-can-celebrate-that-in-a-way-that-c_45806.jpg)