I often wonder why...

halfway · Post by **halfway** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:43 am

I often wonder why we act the way we do in groups as opposed to as individuals.

Are mobs truly "demonic"?

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:05 am

halfway;1437778 wrote: I often wonder why we act the way we do in groups as opposed to as individuals.

Are mobs truly "demonic"?

No, I wouldn't say that. I would also prefer the term "large" groups to "mob". There have been so many assembled large groups which were peaceful, i.e. the Marches on Washington to protest the Vietnam War; the March where Dr. King made his "I Have A Dream" speech, etc. Woodstock was peaceful, no crimes were committed.

I do think though that in a large group an appeal is somehow made to the lowest common denominator. I suppose, also, that the question should be asked "Why was this large group assembled?" "What is it's purpose; what is the intent?" "What do we hope to gain here?"

eta--Was the Sermon on the Mount attended by a Mob? Don't think so.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:42 am

I have a theory...

I've always had 3 dogs until Scully passed of old age. Each dog Is Impeccably behaved and obedient In the house yet once out and off the leash, they turned Into the most humiliating bunch of hooligan rabble makers. One would be off down a Badger Sett, one would be chasing swans and one would be bothering cattle In all directions.

My one word commands In the house had absolutely no effect and I'd end up screaming at them to recall like some possessed banshee whilst offering apologies to anyone else out for a walk. Yet, the moment I managed to recall and leash one, the other two would willingly come to call.

This Is because they turn Into a pack and simply take their lead from the pack leader which changes from me to the Instigator of the bad behaviour.

Since Scully died, this stopped and normality returned to walks and I no longer had to hang my head In shame. We have been baby sitting a six month old pup here and there and have just had him for two weeks. The moment he arrived the hooligan behaviour Immediately took over again and once again, walks have been utter chaos and bedlam.

Saturday night, we returned the puppy and Sundays walk with my two returned to normality again.

It's the pack mentality.

Post by **jones jones** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:25 am

Demonic I don't believe ... The only demons in the world are the ones who dwell within us.

A group of earthlings aka a mob, all of whom have various levels of frustration about something, will carry each other along knowing that being a part of a whole is much more comfortable than like going it alone. They probably believe that someone has their back so to speak.

Probably for the same reason that as a kid you'd sneak into a so called "haunted house" with some buddies, but you sure as hell wouldn't go there alone!

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:33 pm

Mobs are not necessarily more demonic than righteous, or anything else.

A mob's only purpose is to gain some justice in their minds. Driven by passion violence is not off the table.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:55 pm

"Probably for the same reason that as a kid you'd sneak into a so called "haunted house" with some buddies, but you sure as hell wouldn't go there alone!"

Safety in numbers.

:yh_alien2:yh_devil

:yh_shhhh:yh_sweat:yh_nailbi:yh_clown:yh_ghost:yh_pumpkn

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:03 pm

along-for-the-ride;1437794 wrote: "probably for the same reason that as a kid you'd sneak into a so called "haunted house" with some buddies, but you sure as hell wouldn't go there alone!"

safety in numbers.

:yh_alien2:yh_devil

:yh_shhhh:yh_sweat:yh_nailbi:yh_clown:yh_ghost:yh_pumpkn

bingo

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:21 pm

along-for-the-ride;1437794 wrote:

:yh_alien2:yh_devil

:yh_shhhh:yh_sweat:yh_nailbi:yh_clown:yh_ghost:yh_pumpkn

I see someone's ready for Halloween!

Post by **Chloe_88** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:23 pm

My mum was telling me about a test done where someone was telling this group of people he went to school etc etc. he had epilepsy and he found it difficult etc. etc. Then he went into a fake seizure and faked death, and everybody did: Nothing!

When the test was redone 1 - 1 (with obviously different people) and the guy went into a seizure, the individual called for help straight away.

Strange how "groups" can have a different effect on an individual's decision making.

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:05 pm

It's an interesting piece of human psychology.

When confronted with a situation completely out of our normal range of experience, we tend to stop and try to figure out what to do, and often, when one person reacts, the majority will simply follow along, emotionally feeding off the reinforcement of the crowd action.

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:53 pm

LarsMac;1437881 wrote: It's an interesting piece of human psychology.

When confronted with a situation completely out of our normal range of experience, we tend to stop and try to figure out what to do, and often, when one person reacts, the majority will simply follow along, emotionally feeding off the reinforcement of the crowd action.

A lot of truth to what you say.

Just thinking, is that first person doing the right thing? DID anyone think to call 911, etc.?

Depending on the situation there can be more ways to cause harm than to help.

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 3:23 pm

tude dog;1437884 wrote: A lot of truth to what you say.

Just thinking, is that first person doing the right thing? DID anyone think to call 911, etc.?

Depending on the situation there can be more ways to cause harm than to help.

True enough, but no one is thinking. Just reacting.

Can you say, "Stampede"

Post by **Chloe_88** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:01 pm

as we had that fire in the town, my work decided to set in a fire drill.

soon as i heard it i was down the stairs and out.. it took the others a while to react.. they just stood there untill a second and third person said; better get moving then.. looked like a sausage of humans emerging from the emergency exit ! :yh_rotfl