Adults are making life decisions based upon unsubstantiated advice from friends and family rather than experts, according to a study by scientists.
The research, featuring more than 1,000 participants, looked at the excessive influence the opinions of their social circle had upon their life decisions – known as “social proof”.
It revealed that, on average, contributors were 1.5 times more likely to listen to friends and family across a range of issues, from restaurant recommendations through to serious financial choices, over that of an expert in the field.
