Ultimately the decision to act and follow the crowd or to stand for something less popular lies with each individual

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” - Mark Twain


I'm reminded of lemming, wildebeest, and salmon.  Of course, nature and genetics account for their follow behavior.  As much as people like to anthropomorphize animal behavior, there isn't a comparison to human actions.  Animals act on instinct.  People act by choice.  While it's possible to get swept up in the commotion of things, ultimately the decision to act and follow the crowd or to stand for something less popular or different lies with each individual.  People aren't genetically predisposed one way or the other.  Nature doesn't make people leaders or followers.  Individuals choose to nurture those tendencies within themselves and whether or not to act upon them.