Why do people often conform to group behavior?

People often follow what others are doing because they want to feel safe and belonging, just like when you're playing a game with friends.

When everyone around you is doing the same thing, it's easier to join in. Imagine all your friends start jumping rope, it might look fun, so you want to try too. You don't know how to jump rope yet, but if everyone else is doing it, you think, “Maybe I should try, just like them.” That’s conforming.

Sometimes people worry that if they do something different, others might laugh at them or stop playing with them. It's like when you're trying a new flavor of ice cream and your friends are all having chocolate, you might feel a little nervous, but once you take a bite, you realize it’s also really good!

So, people often follow the group to avoid feeling left out or scared, just like how you sometimes copy what your friends do when you're playing.