What causes people to act like others?

Answer 1

There are several reasons: * The person copying another individual may have grown up in a dysfunctional family and their parents didn't raise them to be an individual in their own right or give them any rules to follow. Therefore this person is shot out into the world knowing little about themselves as far as who they are, how to act. It's a great deal of stress on them because they really want to fit in. We can never know ourselves 100% or even another person 100%, but we do have some clues into our real personality, and people from dysfunctional families don't. * These types of people have no mentors to look up too, so they choose someone in school, college or even at the workplace to perhaps copy that person's actions, hairstyle, clothing and even personality. It may appear creepy to the successful person, but it's really a compliment. * The person copying another may do so because they feel nervous, shy, all arms and legs and just simply want to fit in with one or more people. I'm sure you've felt that way once or twice in your life! * Then there are the leaders and the followers in most social situations. I one person feels like being mean to another or it's even considered a hate relationship then the rest of the pack will follow suit whether they feel the same as the leader of that pack for several reasons: They just want to be part of the crowd; they lack confidence and fear if they don't go along with the rest they will be shunned or ridiculed; or the group may be in such a frenzy over whatever the subject line is for the following that they aren't thinking straight and just go with the crowd. It's human nature, BUT, people who have learned self confidence and know themselves will stand tall and have the guts to walk away and know right from wrong, or, that as an individual they have the right to be different. They can also decide if they want to be a leader, just keep things to themselves and resolve them the best they can, or be a follower for the rest of their lives. It takes guts to stand up for all the right things and go against a mass of those that disagree with you. One thing we all should know is that ALL OF US are chameleons in our own right (we seldom realize it in ourselves.) We may have heavy problems at home, but we change our mood and how we speak to others out in society. We can be at work feeling down, but don't show it to our coworkers. Being at a party or any social gathering people 'put on a front' as being into the party at least and some will be a lot of fun even though they may feel miserable inside of themselves. We readjust our personality to fit the situation.