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CROWD AND COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR

Core Concept Overview

Defining Collective Behaviour

Crowd and collective behaviour studies how individuals act when part of a large group. Such behaviour can be prosocial (helpful) or antisocial (destructive), with individual and social factors shaping outcomes.

Crowd Emergent Behavior

Crowds can lead to emergent behaviours because normal social norms weaken, causing different outcomes:

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Prosocial Actions Collective support, coordinated rescue efforts, or communal celebrations.
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Antisocial Actions Riots, looting, or violence.

Social Factors Affecting Collective Behaviour

Three primary social dynamics influence how individuals behave within large crowds:

1

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone. Tends to increase in larger crowds.
2

Deindividuation

Psychological state involving losing self-awareness and a sense of personal responsibility, resulting in behavior that is more impulsive or deviant.
3

Culture

Cultural norms influence the behaviour of crowds. Collectivist cultures may discourage aggressive behaviours; individualistic cultures may see more assertive actions.

Deindividuation Triggers

Deindividuation often arises due to these conditions within a crowd:

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Anonymity

Anonymity within large groups.
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Arousal

High arousal or emotional states.
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Accountability

Reduced accountability.

Dispositional Factors (Individual Traits)

Individual psychological traits influence susceptibility to collective influence:

1

Personality

High impulsivity or sensation-seeking may be more prone to engage in antisocial crowd behaviours. High empathy may encourage prosocial behaviour.
2

Morality

A person’s moral development and ethical beliefs guide whether they engage in prosocial or antisocial behaviour in groups. Higher moral reasoning predicts restraint.

Summary of Key Points

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Core Takeaways:

  • Crowd behaviour involves group influence diminishing individual restraint.
  • Social loafing reduces effort by individuals in large groups.
  • Deindividuation causes loss of self-awareness, raising risk of antisocial behaviour.
  • Culture shapes how crowd behaviour manifests and what is socially accepted.
  • Personality and morality influence the likelihood of prosocial versus antisocial acts.

Understanding these factors helps explain why crowds can act both constructively and destructively.

Crowd & Collective Behaviour Deck
Term
Crowd and Collective Behaviour

What is crowd and collective behaviour?

Answer
Definition

It is the study of how individuals act when part of a large group, showing prosocial or antisocial behaviours influenced by individual and social factors.

Term
Prosocial Actions

What are prosocial actions in crowds?

Answer
Examples

Collective support, coordinated rescue efforts, or communal celebrations.

Term
Antisocial Actions

What are antisocial actions in crowds?

Answer
Examples

Riots, looting, or violence.

Term
Social Loafing

What is social loafing?

Answer
Definition

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort in a group because their individual input feels less noticeable.

Term
Causes of Deindividuation

What causes deindividuation?

Answer
Factors

Anonymity, high arousal/emotional states, and reduced accountability in groups.

Term
Cultural Influence

How does culture affect collective behaviour?

Answer
Impact

It shapes norms, influencing whether crowds act harmoniously or confrontationally, and what behaviours are accepted.

Term
Personality Effects

How does personality affect crowd behaviour?

Answer
Traits

Traits like impulsivity increase antisocial behaviour risk; empathy encourages prosocial behaviour.

Term
Morality's Influence

How does morality influence behaviour in crowds?

Answer
Effect

Higher moral reasoning usually restrains aggression; low moral standards can increase antisocial acts.

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🌸 Crowd and Collective Behaviour Quiz

1. What is an example of prosocial behaviour in a crowd?

Prosocial behaviour involves helpful collective actions, like rescue or support.

2. Which factor involves individuals exerting less effort in groups?

Social loafing is when people reduce effort because contributions are less visible.

3. Deindividuation can lead to:

Deindividuation reduces self-awareness and accountability, promoting impulsive actions.

4. How does culture influence crowd behaviour?

Cultural norms guide what behaviours are acceptable in crowds.

5. Which personality trait is linked to more antisocial crowd behaviour?

Higher impulsivity correlates with increased antisocial actions in crowds.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • GCSE
  • Criminal Psychology
  • AQA