The Infuence of Majority and Minority

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ArtTrees

ArtTrees

Member
#1
Jul 7, 2014
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#1
Just wanted to get some peoples feedback on this.

When it comes to articles or polls taken about a large group of people (Example: Millennial's 18-34 year olds). Let's say for example that if most millennial's (70%) save their money what effect does this information have on you?

Let's say Brian is a millennial and Alex is not (could be older or younger). Alex noticed the poll about millennial's saving money and now assumes that it is true. Alex stars to talk with Brian and learns that Brian is a millennial. Alex then learns that Brian does not save his money because he is struggling to make ends meet with his current job.

Based on this interaction do you think Alex would be more influenced by Brian than the poll he just read? Would Brian think that Alex is an exception? What does the poll about a certain generation of people when it is related to savings provide?
 
tourist

tourist

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#2
Mar 13, 2014
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#2
I wouldn't assume any poll is true. You can design any poll to get the results that you want but the results may not reflect the actual facts or opinions of those participating in them. Ask Hillary her opinion on polls.
 
ArtTrees

ArtTrees

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#3
Jul 7, 2014
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tourist said:
I wouldn't assume any poll is true. You can design any poll to get the results that you want but the results may not reflect the actual facts or opinions of those participating in them. Ask Hillary her opinion on polls.
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So your response is to discard all poll information based on how polls are used in modern government politics?
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#4
#4
ArtTrees said:
Just wanted to get some peoples feedback on this.

When it comes to articles or polls taken about a large group of people (Example: Millennial's 18-34 year olds). Let's say for example that if most millennial's (70%) save their money what effect does this information have on you?

Let's say Brian is a millennial and Alex is not (could be older or younger). Alex noticed the poll about millennial's saving money and now assumes that it is true. Alex stars to talk with Brian and learns that Brian is a millennial. Alex then learns that Brian does not save his money because he is struggling to make ends meet with his current job.

Based on this interaction do you think Alex would be more influenced by Brian than the poll he just read? Would Brian think that Alex is an exception? What does the poll about a certain generation of people when it is related to savings provide?
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This, like so many other of these blanket questions about people, is subjective. As tourist showed, you haven't even considered the various options.
Truth is some people will lean one way, others the opposite and yet others in various other directions. So there are more than two options. Likely more than three.
 
G

Grandpa

Senior Member
#5
Jun 24, 2011
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ArtTrees said:
So your response is to discard all poll information based on how polls are used in modern government politics?
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Not just politics. The actual nature of polls.

Polling takes a sample of a small % of a population and then tries to make a blanket statement on the whole population. Sometimes they are fairly accurate. Usually they are not.
 
D

Depleted

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#6
#6
ArtTrees said:
So your response is to discard all poll information based on how polls are used in modern government politics?
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I have a degree in Communications. Included in that yellowing piece of paper were a couple of courses in marketing. One of the textbooks for that course was titled "How to Lie with Statistics." Why? Because statistics is a marketing tool.

So, no. I don't believe in disregarding information from a poll. I believe in knowing what the point of the poll was. And, if it's relevant for your needs, use it. If it isn't, then chalk it up as another "Who cares?"

Why? What was the purpose of this thread. That's kind of what's tripping everyone up. I'm thinking you're not really worried about two fictitious characters. I'm not even sure you're worried about saving money. "Millennial" might have some concern to you, since you are one of that group, but even there are you really worried about everyone in that group?

It's much easier to answer a direct question rather than a bunch of hypotheticals.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#7
Feb 7, 2015
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ArtTrees said:
So your response is to discard all poll information based on how polls are used in modern government politics?
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That's probably the smarter way to approach it. After all, aren't we constantly being told to judge people of different races by experience with individuals, instead of what mass media (about the same thing as "polls") tells us to believe?
 
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ArtTrees

ArtTrees

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#8
Jul 7, 2014
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#8
After reading all of the responses so far it seems like no one wanted to actually answer the question that I asked (Which is hilarious).

But that actually indicates what the answer might be based on this thread. It seems like Alex would be more influenced by what Brian tells him over the poll information. It might really come down to the character of the individual.

The reason I am asking this question is the better understand how statistical information and info from people effect someone who is open to learning. The question is for educational purposes.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#9
#9
ArtTrees said:
After reading all of the responses so far it seems like no one wanted to actually answer the question that I asked (Which is hilarious).

But that actually indicates what the answer might be based on this thread. It seems like Alex would be more influenced by what Brian tells him over the poll information. It might really come down to the character of the individual.

The reason I am asking this question is the better understand how statistical information and info from people effect someone who is open to learning. The question is for educational purposes.
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How about that! I just checked and my old college book is back by (un)popular demand. It probably would be educational, and enjoyable for you. (I hated it, but I'm a just-the-facts-ma'am kind of character.)
 
ArtTrees

ArtTrees

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#10
Jul 7, 2014
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#10
Depleted said:
How about that! I just checked and my old college book is back by (un)popular demand. It probably would be educational, and enjoyable for you. (I hated it, but I'm a just-the-facts-ma'am kind of character.)
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Haha!! I wish the title of that book was better because it's encouraging me not to read it. I don't believe that stats are used primarily for advertising purposes but if it's true someone needs to convince me.
 
D

Depleted

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#11
#11
ArtTrees said:
Haha!! I wish the title of that book was better because it's encouraging me not to read it. I don't believe that stats are used primarily for advertising purposes but if it's true someone needs to convince me.
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You have to remember I haven't read it in over 40 years, but I do believe it served humor with the truth. Like picking up philosophy from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. (And I'm very aware you might have to look up who they were, but it will be fun and funny. lol)
 
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