In an era where political divisions and hyper partisanship are the norm, Cass R. Sunstein, the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard and author of the new book Conformity, sets out to explain the manifestation of this intense tribalism.

On this episode of Poll Hub, Sunstein describes how conformity aligns with peer pressure but, then, digs deeper into its significance in today’s culture. He expands upon how conformity is necessary to maintain a civilized society but can also be a double-edged sword. He also expounds upon how defiance and independence are opportunities for social change.

About Poll Hub

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, The Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of The Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at The Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.