Crowd Behaviour

Crowds

Crowds are types of AggregatesThey are always temporaryThey always have some sort of common interest, focus of attention or objective

3 Types of Crowds

Casual Crowds Individuals in the crowd mind their

own business Individuals maintain their own

privacy and isolation Does not affect individuals’

behaviour profoundly

3 Types of Crowds

Expressive: Shows emotion in various ways Has a leader or a focus of attention

that influences the crowd Can be incited to change into the

third type of crowd.

3 Types of Crowds

Active Involves physical activity and a

specific goal Tend to have a lot of influence on the

values and behaviours of individuals. Individuals are more open to being

swayed Can become an aggressive mob or a

riot

Concerning Effects of Crowds

Conformity Key researcher Solomon Asch Interested in situations where a

person would act against their own instincts and insights to conform to a group.

Concerning Effects of Crowds Diffusion of Responsibility

Phenomenon where a person is less likely to take responsibility for a situation with others present because they assume that someone else will take action. Comes into effect with 3 or more people, and increases with more people.

Bystander Apathy Also called the ‘Bystander Effect.’ A Phenomenon where individuals do not offer to

help a victim with others present. The chances of apathy increase with the size of the group.

Kitty Genovese

Murder in New York City in 1964 that prompted sociologists and social psychologists to study and define the ‘bystander effect.’

Kitty was attacked when coming home from work in NYC at 3:15 in the morning. The attacker stabbed her, left, came back and stabbed her again and raped her.

About 12 neighbours heard the attack happening but no one called the police until 2 hours after the first stabbing. Kitty died on the way to the hospital.