# Is "liking" a post too intimidating?

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-liking-a-post-too-intimidating/37695>\
**Category:** UX\
**Created:** [2016 年 1 月 10 日午前 2:53 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-liking-a-post-too-intimidating/37695 "2016-01-10T02:53:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![purldator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@purldator](https://meta.discourse.org/u/purldator)\
**Post date:** [2016 年 1 月 10 日午前 6:55 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-liking-a-post-too-intimidating/37695/8 "2016-01-10T06:55:17Z")

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You are correct.

Two levels exist as to how a Human relates to everyone else.

As an individual, and as a member of a group or tribe.

[Cognitive dissonance](https://www.google.com/search?q=cognitive+dissonance) is the psychological mechanism showing this “low likes” and “high votes” behavior described here.

It is also the reason someone may suddenly fall onto a sidewalk pavement in cardiac arrest, many people around during rush hour walking-traffic, and not a single person will go, race to this person and offer assistance.

But, if this person dropped onto the same sidewalk during the nearly-empty lazy-afternoon hours with only a few individuals to witness, a much greater chance be someone of those few will drop everything and run to help.

In a group-oriented species, no one wants to be the odd one out. No one is willing to “be themselves” when it also means they no longer have a group to witness it, because they just gave that _unique snowflake_ the FAIL hail, sometimes involving a lot of image memes (depending on said group).

To exert individuality so openly means one risks negative feedback from the group, and expulsion. That risk, right there, is a manifestation of cognitive dissonance.

“This…not “feel” right to me, to hit this like button, and _no one else doing it either_. Oh, a poll; that does not mention any sort of strong individualistic word-choices such as “like”. `*casts vote*` Did my duty there, using the vague mask of “general community citizen” to cast my very individualized opinion. That feel _goood_ to exert my individuality but feeling _safe_ at the same time. Dissonance itch scratched.”

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