Bandwagon Fallacy – Definition, Meaning & Examples

If all of your friends used the APA style in their dissertation or thesis, would you do it too? If your answer is yes, you’ve just experienced the Bandwagon Fallacy. This logical error occurs when one adopts a belief or behaviour simply because it is widely accepted or endorsed by others. If you’re interested in learning more about fallacies and how to respond to this particular one, continue reading.

Definition: Bandwagon fallacy

The Bandwagon Fallacy, is a logical fallacy where one believes that a statement must be true because it’s popular and everyone else does it too, without considering other factors such as reliable sources, logic, or rational arguments. It is also known as “argumentum ad populum,” “appeal to masses,” or “appeal to common belief.”

The Bandwagon fallacy is a type of informal fallacy, specifically a fallacy of relevance, which diverts attention away from the actual significance of the argument by focusing on its popularity instead. This fallacy is closely related to findings in conformity experiments, which demonstrate how individuals often align their beliefs and behaviors with the majority, even when they are aware of contrary evidence. Additional fallacies of relevance include the red herring fallacy and ad hominem fallacy.

Examples of the Bandwagon fallacy

This fallacy is used to justify specific actions by appealing to the idea that because many others are doing it, it must be the correct course of action.

When Galileo Galilei proposed the heliocentric model, critics dismissed it, arguing, “Everyone knows Earth is the center of the universe. How could so many be wrong?” This bandwagon argument ignored substantial evidence in favour of popular belief, leading to Galileo’s persecution by the Catholic Church.

History

The name of the Bandwagon fallacy originates from the idea of jumping onto a bandwagon, which was a literal wagon used in circus parades to carry the band. The image of people jumping onto the bandwagon symbolizes the notion of following the crowd without considering the validity of the belief or action.

The fallacy gained popularity in the early 20^th century, particularly in political contexts. It functions as a way to critique the tendency of individuals to support a position or candidate because it seems popular or gaining momentum. Over time, it has become a recognised concept in logic and critical thinking, illustrating the relevance of independent thought and skepticism in evaluating arguments and beliefs.

How does the Bandwagon fallacy work?

The principle behind the Bandwagon fallacy is the fact that something has to be correct or valid just because plenty of people believe it or do it. It’s like saying ‘It must be right this way because everyone else is doing it too, and if so many people do it this way, then they won’t be all wrong.’ It exploits the human tendency to follow the crowd or conform to a popular, yet incorrect statement without critically evaluating the merits of the argument or belief in question.

Instead of relying on arguments, facts, or other kinds of evidence, this fallacy implies that something must be true simply because many people do it. The acceptance occurs without asking simple questions or really thinking about whether it makes sense or not.

Similarity with other fallacies

The Bandwagon fallacy is similar to other fallacies, like the appeal to authority fallacy and appeal to emotion. In these fallacies, the arguer tries to get the other person to agree with their position or argument through a strategy of persuasion rather than objective reasoning. For instance, the appeal to emotion fallacy claims that emotions, rather than logic or evidence, should dictate one’s belief or actions.

It also has some similarities with the circular reasoning fallacy and the straw man fallacy. All three fallacies detract from rational and logical discourse by shifting the focus away from valid arguments and towards incorrect reasoning, used in casual conversations, political rhetoric, advertising, or media. These fallacies reflect their effectiveness in influencing opinions and decisions, irrespective of the truth or logic.

Furthermore, in some cases, it is similar to the hasty generalization fallacy, which occurs when someone draws a broad conclusion based on a small, inadequate, or unrepresentative sample of data.

In this example, the first clause presents a Bandwagon argument which implies, that everyone is using essential oils nowadays. However, the second phrase after the semicolon is in this case the hasty generalization, as it suggests that they are effective in every kind of medical issues, without relying on any evidence.

Psychology behind the bandwagon fallacy

There is not one single reason, but rather a combination of different circumstances which eventually lead to the Bandwagon fallacy. It is a psychological phenomenon where individuals adopt behaviors or beliefs simply because many other people are doing the same. Here’s a brief overview of the psychology behind this fallacy, to find out why people are using it:

The fear of missing out (short: FOMO) occurs when people worry that other people might be having fun or doing something interesting without them. It’s the type of feeling that you get when you see your friends posting fun photos from a situation where you would like to be, too. This can, but does not necessarily have to, be the reason behind why one uses this fallacy.

Sometimes, evaluating information and developing independent judgments can be cognitively demanding. It is easier to simply believe and agree with people who have already endorsed a belief or action, rather than critically analyse the situation.

Humans are inherently social creatures, and they often look to others when deciding how to think or act, especially in situations where the correct behaviour or belief is unknown. The principle of social proof suggests that if many people are doing something, it has to be correct. This can be particularly influential when the behaviour or belief is visible and the number of people involved is large.

Some individuals oftentimes conform to fit into a group. Conforming helps individuals avoid the discomfort of standing out or being wrong. This is reinforced by the desire for social acceptance and fear of social rejection, driving people to adopt popular opinions, even if they have another opinion privately.

How to respond to the bandwagon fallacy

You are not controlling what other people do or think. Responding to these arguments can be difficult sometimes, but here are some ways how to respond to it:

• Request evidence
  Ask the arguer to provide concrete evidence, including data, studies, or credible sources, that supports the claim that is being made.
• Use counterexamples
  Provide examples where the popular opinion was wrong or where it turned out to be wrong. This could involve historical references or more contemporary situations.
• Focus on the merits
  Try to redirect the conversation back towards a reasonable and thorough discussion of the actual merits or drawbacks associated with the claim.

How to avoid in academic writing

In academic writing, it is crucial to back up any assertion with a valid and reliable source. The Bandwagon fallacy would result in the opposite, as it is not backed up with evidence. You can accomplish this by basing your arguments on proven facts, evidence and research, rather than relying solely on what others have said or done. Conduct thorough research to gather various perspectives and cite your sources correctly in your bibliography. Discuss topics in your writing objectively, like this: