In social interactions, when individuals look to others for help or validation during a moment of uncertainty, this behavior is primarily influenced by the concept of __________.

In social interactions, when individuals look to others for help or validation during a moment of uncertainty, this behavior is primarily influenced by the concept of social proof. Social proof is the idea that we often look to others to guide our decisions, especially when we are unsure about what to do. For example, if you are at a party and you see everyone laughing at a joke, you might laugh too, even if you didn't hear the joke, because you want to fit in. This shows how we rely on the actions of others to help us understand how to behave in unfamiliar situations. Ultimately, social proof helps us feel more secure by confirming that we are making the right choices based on what we observe around us.