Social Proof and Volleyball

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose organization. 

What Is Social Proof?

"Social Proof" has another name, "herd instinct." It's behavior that leads parents to ask, "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"

It's not irrational. In another era, if the "community" started running when one member perceived danger, running might save you from that hungry lion. 

Social proof is one of the core principles in Robert Cialdini's classic book, "Influence." Social proof drives trends in advertising, in fashion, music, and more. If our friends say "ABC" is a great song, book, or movie, then we're more likely to check it out. 

Why It's Useful

The value of social proof depends on its use. It drives charity (think international disasters) and bullying (the unacceptable becomes normalized). Learn to recognize it's use as inspiration or manipulation. 

Social Proof in Volleyball and Team Sports

Team leaders leverage social proof for good. They promote unselfishness, togetherness, toughness, and sportsmanship. 

Social proof drives action. Working out with a partner or as a group creates value. "Group behavior" might drive participation in Summer League or volunteering at a Food Kitchen. 

Social proof permeates the gym. When top players lead in effort and communication, others follow. “Your hustle standard is not what you say. It’s what your best player does.”

When the best players "lift," others are more likely to come with. When the leaders "do five more," the crowd is more apt to see that "champions do extra." 

When "hitting the floor" for diving digs becomes the standard, the program floor and ceiling both elevate. 

When the bench is engaged, that reinforces teamwork and unselfishness. When parents root for all the team, not just their children, that builds culture. 

Summary: 

Social proof answers the question every athlete asks:
“What do people like us do here?”

If the answer is:

• We work.
• We communicate.
• We dive. 
• We serve tough.
• We celebrate teammates. 

That is who you are...and our community knows it when they see it.

Lagniappe. Know the responsibilities/zones that Coach Celli wants. 

Lagniappe 2. More on confirmation bias. Imagine that your math teacher provides a series of numbers such as 2, 4, 6... and asks you the "rule" for the sequence. Seek disconfirming evidence. If you say "-3" your teacher will say, "That is not it." But what if you say, "9" and the teacher says, "That works in the sequence." The number 9 disconfirms "generate by adding two" and works for "the next number is higher than the previous." The moral? "Seek disconfirming evidence.