lecture 7 - crowd behaviour

Crowd Behaviour Overview

Lecture Title: Crowd Behaviour

Instructor: Mark Levine

Course: PSY 203

Structure of the Lectures

Part 1: Background

  • Psychological Dangers Associated with Crowd Behaviour:

    • Focus on the potential risks and fears associated with crowds, informed by historical events like riots or protests.

    • Exploration of how individuals may act differently in a crowd as opposed to alone (loss of personhood).

  • Discussion on Le Bon's Theory:

    • Examination of Gustave Le Bon's seminal work from 1895 which suggested that crowds have a group mind that drives individuals towards violence and irrational behavior.

    • Analysis of how this theory shaped public fears and influenced crowd control measures historically.

  • Examination of Historical Evidence:

    • Contradicting evidence showing that crowds often reflect the voice of the powerless rather than acting out violently, emphasizing reasons behind crowd behaviours rather than innate danger.

  • Continuing Influence of Group Danger Concepts:

    • Discussion on how Le Bon's ideas continue to find relevance in modern psychological studies and among law enforcement in handling crowds.

Part 2: Deindividuation

  • Classic Deindividuation Theory:

    • Firm explanations on how anonymity in crowds leads to a breakdown of inhibitions, allowing for antisocial behaviors to surface.

  • Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE):

    • Analysis of how individuals in groups maintain conformity to group norms despite deindividuation, countering earlier theories that suggested a complete loss of personal identity.

Part 3: Prison Experiments

  • Comparison of Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) and BBC Prison Experiment:

    • Detailed breakdown of Zimbardo’s SPE which utilized assigned roles leading to unexpected aggression and cruelty from participants.

    • Examination of the BBC experiment that challenged traditional role conformity, emphasizing identity leadership as a motivator over mere position.

    • Insights into how these experiments demonstrate the power dynamics within groups and the importance of context in shaping behaviour.

Part 4: Social Identity & Crowd Behaviour

  • Analysis of Social Identity in Events:

    • Examination of examples such as the St. Paul's riots or football crowd movements, demonstrating how social identity influences crowd behavior and outcomes.

    • Discussion on the dual nature of crowd events where collective identity can lead to both positive and negative outcomes.

  • Positive Experiences Within Crowds:

    • Instances where crowds experience shared joy, such as during cultural festivals or ceremonies where social identity strengthens communal bonds.

Part 5: Elaborated Social Identity Model (ESIM)

  • Insights into the Emergence of Violence in Crowds:

    • Understanding that violence can emerge not inherently from crowds but from specific social identities in conflict situations, driven by perceived threats or injustices.

Part 6: Social Identity Model of Collective Action (SIMCA)

  • Exploration of Factors Influencing Participation:

    • Critical look into how personal identity, perceptions of injustice, and collective efficacy drive individuals to partake in collective action, challenging against the status quo.

    • Analysis of how different social groups experience collective action differently based on their standing in society.

Key Concepts:

  • Conformity & Obedience:

    • Examining how peer pressure in crowd settings can lead individuals to act in ways they would typically not consider.

  • Mob Violence:

    • The role of group dynamics in diffusing responsibility and how this can lead to violent outcomes when individuals feel less accountable for their actions.

Historical Context of Crowd Psychology

  • Historical Perspective:

    • Review of Le Bon's influential concepts, including the notions of "Group Mind" and "Racial Unconscious", which leads to a general emphasis on the potential dangers groups may pose.

    • Examination of terms like Anonymity, Contagion, and Suggestibility.

Examining Crowd Violence

  • Historical Research Insights:

    • Investigative studies by Feagin & Hahn (1973) and Tilly et al. (1975) clarify that rather than instigating violence, crowds often express collective grievances.

    • Discussion on anonymity’s role in enabling acts of violence while highlighting the importance of rationality in crowd behavior.

Limitations of Le Bon's Theory

  • Critiques of Le Bon's Conclusions:

    • Addressing key arguments that most crowds are not violent and many studies find crowds are formed around significant social issues rather than pathology.

    • Discussion highlights Le Bon's overemphasis on anonymity's effects and lack of understanding of the contextual factors influencing crowd actions.

Reicher's Analysis

  • Discussing Persistence of Le Bon's Claims:

    • Reicher addresses why outdated claims about crowd psychology endure despite a lack of substantial evidence, focusing on factors like identity leadership that emerge from groups.

Insights from Deindividuation Theory

  • Zimbardo's Influence:

    • Key aspects of deindividuation including anonymity, loss of responsibility, and the impact of group size on behaviour.

Dynamics of Anti-Social Behaviour

  • Deindividuation's Role:

    • Underlines how crowd environments can expose primitive impulses leading to increased aggression, making individuals more susceptible to social influences.

Key Experiments in Deindividuation

  • Zimbardo's Classics:

    • Outline of key experiments that demonstrate the deindividuation effects, notably in contexts like Klu Klux Klan hoods, showcasing variability in behavior based on social setup.

Social Identity Approach

  • Foundational Theories:

    • Discuss the importance of Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Self-Categorization Theory (SCT) in understanding group behavior contexts.

    • Move from personal to social identity perspectives in analyzing crowd dynamics.

Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE)

  • Group Norms and Behavior:

    • Explain how deindividuation does not eliminate norms within a crowd but instead can enforce group-specific norms, leading to greater instances of violence based on the prevailing social context.

Comparison of Prison Experiments

  • Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE):

    • Details of the design and implementation, emphasizing planned roles leading to violence.

  • BBC Prison Experiment:

    • Contrasting perspectives showcasing identity roles influencing participants’ behavior rather than simply adhering to assigned roles.

Results & Findings from Experiments

  • General Findings:

    • Key outcomes illustrating the variances between identification roles of guards and prisoners over time, stressing the significance of identity and its influence on group behavior.

Rethinking Crowds

  • Nature of Crowds:

    • Discussion on the inherent qualities of crowds, arguing their potential for both positive and negative behaviors, shaped by group dynamics rather than an intrinsic danger.

Case Studies of Crowd Behaviour

  • Bristol (St. Pauls) Riot (1980):

    • Exploration of root causes and collective identity effects in event reactions during the police raid, highlighting key behavioral patterns in conflict.

  • Positive Collective Experiences in Crowds:

    • Examples from events like Kumbh Mela showcasing how shared identities foster positive and affirming collective emotions among participants.

Effective Crowd Management Strategies

  • Utilizing ESIM to Prevent Violence:

    • Suggested strategies for policing rooted in an understanding of social identities to effectively control crowds, proposing low-profile approaches and strategies that promote positive interactions.

SIMCA: Collective Action Motivations

  • Factors Shaping Collective Action:

    • Discussions on identity, perceived injustices, and feelings of efficacy that contribute to the likelihood of individuals participating in collective actions against perceived wrongdoing.

Evidence and Applications of SIMCA

  • Global Perspectives on Collective Action:

    • Examination of varied collective actions across different cultural and political contexts, addressing critiques regarding the motivations of advantaged groups.

EMSICA and Emotional Engagement in Action

  • Role of Emotions in Collective Behavior:

    • Insights into how strong emotional responses can drive collective actions, enhancing collective efficacy and influencing identity formation based on feelings rather than solely cognitive evaluations.

Importance of Studying Crowds

  • Key Takeaways:

    • Emphasizing the significance of understanding crowd behaviour as it illuminates collective psychology and group mentality.

    • Recognizing that crowds can reflect moral and meaningful actions rather than mindless violence, leading towards more effective management and empowerment strategies within society.