Some researchers suggest that people give because they value being a part of the group.
Maybe the first step is to make sure that you can do things without being influenced by the crowd. Then, if you feel the need to do something, like help a stranger, you won't worry about what others might think.
I don't think it was or is about worrying about what others think. It's about feeling connected with others around you in a positive and peaceful way. It only takes one action and not a group to inspire another so I wouldn't say they are following the herd or being influenced by it, there's just that longing for connection with others :)
The entire post was about feeling connected, yes.
However, as the highlighted sentence points out, a lot of people do not want do something because of the fear of what the group might think. This is how bullying happens. If everyone bullies a kid other kids would be worried about standing up for the kid, because they don't want to perceived as uncool by the group.
In order to avoid that trap of not helping others due to peer pressure, the first step is to know that it only matters how you think about yourself and not how the group thinks of you.
the sentence doesn't point that out, it doesn't say people aren't giving because of fear over what others might think :) has nothing to do with the perceptions of others.
Wow...okay. I think I have been looking at the screen with text too long.
I swear it said people give up. LOL Anyway, what I said is also true. If you value what the group thinks over what you think of yourself, you will be less likely to help others.
i get what you're saying, def don't want the herd to dominate your life