The concept of the crowd in psychology. How it is formed and what properties it possesses. Features of the behavior of the crowd and the individual in it. Management methods. Important! An already formed crowd can become a very dangerous weapon in the hands of aggressive people. The consequences of the "work" of such a crowd can be destructive and uncontrollable. It is extremely difficult to stop such a "element".
The main types of the crowd in psychology
The classification of the types of spontaneous gatherings of people includes several directions, depending on what is taken as the basis of the division.
The main types of crowd in psychology based on manageability:
- Spontaneous. Its formation and manifestations are not associated with any kind of organization and management.
- Slave. It is formed and directed (from the very beginning or later the development of events) by a leader, that is, by a specific person.
Types of the crowd according to the behavioral reactions of its participants:
- Occasional. Her education is based on curiosity about a certain incident, an event that arose spontaneously, unexpectedly. It could be an accident, accident, fire, fight, natural disaster, etc.
- Conventional. It is formed due to interest in a certain mass event (sporting event, spectacle, etc.). Moreover, this event is not spontaneous: it is announced in advance, that is, known and expected. Such a crowd is relatively controllable, as it is able to act within the framework of the norms of behavior. However, such subordination is temporary, and the very framework of behavior can be rather vague.
- Expressive. In terms of the mechanism of formation, it is very similar to the conventional one, that is, people in it are united by a common attitude towards a certain event or incident (indignation, protest, condemnation, joy, enthusiasm). Has a subspecies called "ecstatic crowd". This is an extreme degree, when the emotional attitude to the event develops into a general ecstasy. Most often this happens during carnivals, religious rituals, concerts, when the rhythmically growing infection drives the crowd to a general trance, euphoria.
- Active. It is formed on the basis of an emotional community, ready for specific actions or already performing them.
The acting crowd, in turn, is subdivided into the following subspecies:
- Aggressive. The participants in such a gathering of people are united by aggression directed at a specific object. This can be a manifestation of hatred towards a certain person (lynching) or a certain movement, structure (political, religious). The result of such a “gathering” is most often acts of vandalism and beatings.
- Panic. In this case, people are rallied by massive panic, forcing them to flee from danger. Moreover, panic can be both justified, with a real danger, and imaginary, when the danger is imaginary.
- Possessive. The "glue" of such a crowd is the chaotic struggle for certain material values. Such objects of conflict can be food and goods (excitement during discounts or shortages, destruction of warehouses), money (in case of bankruptcy of banks), places in public transport. This kind of behavior of people in a crowd can manifest itself during terrorist attacks, major catastrophes, natural disasters.
- Rebel. In the crowd of this subspecies, people are united by a common feeling of dissatisfaction with the work of the authorities, the government. If you intervene in the element of such a crowd in time and competently, it can be turned into a powerful weapon of political struggle.
The ambiguity of goals or their absence, the inconstancy of the structure of the crowd determines its variability. Thanks to this, one species or subspecies can easily and spontaneously transform into another. Therefore, knowledge of the nuances of the formation and behavior of the crowd makes it possible to manipulate it, including in order to prevent dangerous consequences.
The psychological properties of the crowd
Psychology explains the well-known crowd effect by a number of features inherent in a spontaneous gathering of people. These features affect 4 spheres of personality: cognitive (cognitive), temperamental, emotional-volitional and moral.
The psychological properties of the crowd in the cognitive sphere:
- Inability to be conscious. The human crowd does not accept logic and reason - it lives with emotions. And it is the latter who lead it. Not every person alone with himself can hear and obey his reason, and, succumbing to the herd instinct of the crowd, he loses this ability completely. Thus, in a crowd of people, unconscious qualities prevail over conscious ones.
- Stimulating the imagination. All members of the crowd become infected not only with general emotions, but also with images. An immensely increased sensitivity to impressions animates any information that comes to the crowd. Thanks to the same effect of collective imagination, events occurring in the area of the crowd can be significantly distorted. Including because of how exactly these events are "presented".
- Creative thinking. For large spontaneous gatherings of people, figurative thinking, simplified to the limit, is characteristic. Therefore, they do not distinguish between objective and subjective information, do not perceive complex ideas, do not argue and do not reason. Everything that "lives" in the crowd is imposed on it. She does not accept discussion, does not consider options or nuances. Here only two options are possible: the idea is either accepted in its pure form, or not accepted at all. Moreover, preference is given to illusions and delusions, rather than truth and reality.
- Conservatism. The crowd is extremely attached to tradition, therefore, they do not accept any innovations and deviations to the side.
- Categorical. For participants in spontaneous mass "gatherings", the accepted (or suggested) judgments are categorical.
- High suggestibility and infectiousness. Another property inherent in the crowd is an increased susceptibility to suggestion. Therefore, it is easy for her to instill the necessary image, an idea with which all its participants are infected.
The psychological properties of the crowd in the emotional-volitional sphere:
- Emotionality. Emotional resonance is characteristic of the behavioral properties of the crowd. It is expressed in the fact that the constant exchange of emotions among the participants gradually brings the general emotional state of the crowd to the limit, which is already difficult to consciously control.
- High sensuality. Lack of responsibility for one's actions in a duet with hypersensitivity generates extremely strong impulses that have one directional vector. That is, they are accepted by all members of the crowd. Regardless of the "coloring" of these impulses - whether they are generous or cruel, heroic or cowardly. Simple feelings prevail here, but in extremes. At the same time, they are so strong that they conquer not only reason and personal interests, but also the instinct of self-preservation.
- Extremism. The crowd is a destructive phenomenon. It releases from a person hidden in the depths of the soul and restrained passions, including destruction. This also pushes her to respond with rage to any obstacle (even in speech form) in her path.
- Irresponsibility. This phenomenon makes large crowds extremely prone to violence, especially when under the influence of instigators.
- Weak motivation. Despite all the passion with which the crowd perceives ideas or events, its interest is unstable and does not last long. Therefore, persistent will and prudence are not characteristic of her.
In the temperamental sphere
the properties of the crowd are characterized by diffuseness and inconsistency in the perception of ideas and images, as well as a complete readiness to quickly move on to concrete actions. In the moral sphere the psychological properties of a spontaneous gathering of people are manifested by the demonstration of lofty feelings (devotion, a sense of justice, selflessness, etc.) and religiosity. The latter is especially important because it also presupposes unquestioning obedience, intolerance and the need for propaganda. It is impossible to ignore the influence of the crowd on each of its participants, as a result of which he acquires anonymity, "facelessness", the ability to surrender to his instincts. He falls into the power of the environment, including due to high suggestibility and awareness of the irresistible force of numbers. He is ready to sacrifice his principles and personal interests in favor of the interest of the crowd. All this increases the feeling of impunity and the tendency to aggression and arbitrariness. In this case, a person loses his individuality, becoming part of the general mass, degrading behaviorally and intellectually.
Crowd Control Ways
The behavior of unorganized mass gatherings of people can depend on many factors: ideological influences and their presentation, the psychological state of the "crowd", the speed and direction of the development of events. A shared feeling, multiplied by resonant emotions and a reactive willingness to act, creates fertile ground for panic. The result of such a "cocktail" can be very tragic events. Therefore, the psychology of the crowd identifies several factors that are dangerous in terms of panic. These include superstition, illusion, and prejudice. All these phenomena are inherent in many of us and in a state of isolation from society, but in the crowd they are amplified many times over. Therefore, they can lead to massive psychosis.
Despite the fact that the crowd is initially spontaneous and uncontrollable, in the end it still strives for submission. At the same time, the leader, whom she will listen to, can be chosen spontaneously or take power into her own hands on her own. And for her, such nuances are not at all important - she will obey any of them. Obey instinctively, blindly and unquestioningly. The crowd does not accept a weak power, but bows to a strong one. She is ready to endure even tough management. Moreover, it is precisely the oppressive power that is the most effective lever of crowd control.
Skills and skills that a crowd leader should have:
- Ideological … The main task of the “leader of the pack” is to create an idea and launch it “to the masses”. It doesn't matter which one. Therefore, most often mentally unbalanced people are knocked out on the pedestal, whose beliefs and goals cannot be disputed or refuted. Even in the case of complete absurdity or absurdity.
- Activity … There is one more feature that distinguishes the "heroes" from the rest of the crowd - action. They do not think, but act. Moreover, there are more often leaders whose willpower and energy are of a transient nature. Much less often the crowd is controlled by people who have these qualities constantly.
- Charm … Another quality, without which it is impossible to lead the crowd - charm. It may be based on admiration or fear, personal charm or special psychological techniques, success or experience in a certain area close to the interest of the crowd. In any case, she must listen to her leader and listen.
- Knowledge of crowd control techniques … Most people who find themselves at the pinnacle of power over the crowd intuitively understand that they need to take several consecutive steps. First, you should penetrate into her and understand what she “breathes” with, merge with her and convince that you breathe the same air with her, and then add “fire” to her in the form of images that excite her. Ideally, in order to control a crowd, you need to know the peculiarities of its formation and basic properties.
- Using strong expressions … The crowd understands and accepts only strength, so one should speak with it in strong, direct, loud phrases. Exaggerations, repetitions, harsh statements are simply necessary here. Moreover, the more the statement is repeated in the same word form, the more firmly it cuts into the minds of the listeners and is already perceived as an immutable truth.
It is noteworthy that in most cases the crowd has a dual control: on the one hand, it is controlled by the leader, on the other, by the security forces. Accordingly, their tasks are opposite: the leader seeks to form the crowd and use it in action, the law enforcement agencies - to bring its participants "to their senses" and disband. The most effective crowd inactivation techniques are:
- Distracting the crowd's attention to other goals, events, ideas … This disunity of interests also leads to disunity in the crowd. It disintegrates.
- "Decapitation" of the crowd … Capturing or isolating a leader robs the crowd of the idea that united it. And if another leader does not immediately come to his place, it will turn into a simple gathering of people. Unstable and unrelated.
- Awakening the Mind of Crowd Members … The main task is to remind the crowd members of the sense of responsibility, to throw off the veil of suggestion and anonymity. This can be done in several ways. For example, announce that a video is being taken of what is happening or specifically address the participants by last name, first name and patronymic (you can choose the most common data in a given area).
What is the crowd in psychology - look at the video:
As you can see, the crowd can significantly influence both the participants and social and political processes in general. Therefore, it is advisable to know the basics of its formation and behavior not only for politicians, but also for ordinary citizens, who at any time can become a part of it.
