--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has been said that when people are…" description: "\"“It has been said that when people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate one another. We look to others for information about what is rig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a97/jonah-berger-25324_marketing_it-has-been-said-that-when-people-are-fr_2238705.jpg" --- # It has been said that when people are free to do as they… ![“It has been said that when people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate one another. We look to others for information about what is right or good to do in a given situation, and this social proof shapes everything from the products we buy to the candidates we vote for. The phrase…” quote by Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a97/jonah-berger-25324_marketing_it-has-been-said-that-when-people-are-fr_2238705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a97/jonah-berger-25324_marketing_it-has-been-said-that-when-people-are-fr_2238705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a97/jonah-berger-25324_marketing_it-has-been-said-that-when-people-are-fr_2238705.jpg) > ““It has been said that when people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate one another. We look to others for information about what is right or good to do in a given situation, and this social proof shapes everything from the products we buy to the candidates we vote for. The phrase ‘Monkey see, monkey do’ captures more than just our tendency to follow others. If people can’t see what others are doing, they can’t imitate them. So to get our products and ideas to become popular we need to make them more publicly observable”” [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People copy observable behavior; visibility drives imitation, influencing choices and trends. **In simple terms:** Seeing others makes us want to copy them. Key Takeaway Make your ideas and products highly visible. Themes social influence visibility imitation marketing Mood persuasive informative analytical Type behavioral marketing psychology When to use this quote - product launch - advertising campaigns - social media posts - public demonstrations - store displays Key Concepts social proof network effects behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - How can you increase the public visibility of your idea? - What risks arise when people follow trends without critical evaluation? A Different Perspective If visibility is high but the product lacks value, imitation may be short‑lived. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) ## Related quotes > [When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other. 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'If the others found out-' 'If the others found out,' Jason said, 'You'd have that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an-attack-if-the-others-found-out/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. 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