Social Contagion

Social Contagion and Aggression

• Social contagion: Behavioral and emotional influences can spread through social networks, causing clusters of similar actions (e.g., suicides, mass shootings).

• Increased attack probability: After a mass killing, further attacks are more likely within the next 13 days (Towers et al., 2015).

• Emotional mimicry: Individuals often adopt emotional tones, expressions, and even language styles of those around them (Ireland & Pennebaker, 2010; Neumann & Strack, 2000).

• Conformity: Adjustments in behavior or opinions to align with group standards (e.g., in group settings, individuals might agree with the majority even against their own judgment; Asch's conformity experiments).

• Social facilitation: Performance improves on simple tasks when observed by others, but can worsen in difficult tasks (Zajonc, 1965).

• Social loafing: Individuals exert less effort in a group than when working alone towards a common goal.

• Group polarization: Like-minded people discussing issues strengthens preexisting attitudes, often leading to more extreme views.

• Aggressive behavior: Emerges from the interplay of biological (genetics, testosterone, brain injuries), psychological (frustration, aggression learned), and social influences (media exposure, parental models of aggression).

• Historical trends: Suggest that the world is becoming less violent over time, indicating that aggression is context-dependent and can be reduced through various measures (e.g., anger management, avoiding violent media).