The Role of Social Proof in the Creative Process
Posted on June 19, 2024 by David Luscher, One of Thousands of Performance Coaches on Noomii.
Internalizing negative feedback can lead to self-doubt, diminished confidence, and even creative paralysis.
Throughout life, we learn by imitating others. This is especially true for those in the creative class when we were starting. For example, Jazz saxophonists pour over countless solos by Charlie Parker to learn the Be-Bop language. Young thespians watch the movies of their favorite actors and imitate what they see. I have known writers who transcribe novels to get into the writing style of their favorite authors. We look to others not only to know how to create but also to behave.
Robert Cialdini in his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” coined the term “Social Proof.” It’s a psychological concept that refers to the tendency for people to look to the actions, behaviors, and opinions of others to guide their own decisions, especially in times of uncertainty.
In the context of creativity, positive social proof, such as praise, endorsements, or high engagement from an audience, can validate your work and boost your confidence. Conversely, social proof can be negative, where a lack of support or negative feedback might discourage and impact your creative process.
Negative social proof occurs when individuals perceive that their work is being rejected or poorly received by a significant audience. This happens through dismissive comments, lack of engagement on social media, or unfavorable comparisons with peers.
Internalizing this negative feedback can lead to self-doubt, diminished confidence, and even creative paralysis. The fear of further negative judgment may cause us to alter our authentic style, avoid taking risks, or stop sharing our work.
We must recognize that negative social proof is often influenced by subjective opinions and does not necessarily reflect the true value of our work. By learning to critically evaluate the sources of negative feedback and focusing on the constructive elements, we can mitigate the impact of negative social proof and sustain our creative momentum.
