Mass Psychology: what is it and what does it study?

Have you ever wondered how the movements of many people, such as protests or demonstrations, are organized and what psychosocial explanations they may have? This is what he studies mass psychology, focused on knowing the way in which large groups of people are organized to carry out different activities and products. Seeks to understand how collective dynamics influence the behavior, thinking and emotions of people in large groups.

Throughout history, mass psychology has played a crucial role in understanding societies, revolutions, political movements, social behaviors and even in the way we consume information and relate to other people in the digital age. Understanding how psychological mechanisms work in social crowds is critical for leaders, communicators, and those interested in social influence.

Crowd psychology is a window into understanding how the human mind behaves and is affected when immersed in the dynamics of large groups. In this article, we explore the fundamental concepts of this branch of psychology and we will reflect on the contemporary applications of this discipline in the information age and the globalization.

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Origins and history of crowd psychology

The study and generation of crowd psychology has its roots in the 19th century, a time of profound changes in society, politics, and science. In this context, Gustave Le Bon, a French psychologist, sociologist and anthropologist, published in 1895 his work La Mass: A Study on the Popular Mind (Psychologie des Foules), in which he laid the foundations of this discipline.

1. Gustave Le Bon and his contributions to the social sciences

Gustave Le Bon (1841 – 1931) was a visionary who approached crowd psychology from an innovative perspective. In his work, Le Bon analyzed how the behavior of people changes and is modified when they are in large groups based on the majority ideologies and social influence. He maintains that the masses have a collective mind that is very different from the individual mind and that the Individuals within a crowd can be influenced by psychological forces that operate at a higher level. deep.

2. Historic context

Le Bon's work arose at a time of social and political upheaval, mainly as a consequence directly from the social and mobilization changes characteristic of the Industrial Revolution and urbanization massive. These changes generated social and political tensions, such as the emergence of labor and nationalist movements, in addition to mass agitation in the form of demonstrations and riots.

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3. The power of the mass

Le Bon studied these social movements to emphasize that when individuals come together in a crowd, their mentality changes and group emotions and beliefs spread in a kind of contagion emotional. In this state, the individual mind is diluted to merge with the collective mind of the masses, defending collective ideas and not stopping to think about individual motivations. This can lead to impulsive behaviors and a susceptibility to suggestion.

In addition, Le Bon highlighted the importance of charismatic leadership in manipulating the masses in order to spread the collective ideas and that these take the same or greater power of influence over people than their ideologies individual.

4. Influence on psychology

Le Bon's work had a significant impact on the world of research in psychology and sociology, coming to impact to other thinkers such as Trotter or Adorno, explorers of topics related to mass psychology and behavior collective.

5. later development

Throughout the 20th century, other researchers continued to explore and expand on Le Bon's ideas, especially in relation to the development of the World Wars and the Nazi movement. Some focused on propaganda and mass manipulation in this context of totalitarian regimes, while others studied group behavior in different contexts closer to everyday life and life in society.

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Main concepts of crowd psychology

As we have been discussing, crowd psychology encompasses various fundamental concepts developed from the work of Gustave Le Bon and other leading researchers in the field. These concepts allow us to gain knowledge and awareness about the way in which collective dynamics influence the behavior and thinking of people when they are immersed in groups numerous. Next, we will explore some of the main concepts of crowd psychology:

1. mob mentality

The mob mentality refers to the previously mentioned way in which individuals belonging to a group to a social grouping change their thinking and consistent behaviors when they are in a crowd and their personal identity diluted. In this state, the individual mind tends to dilute and merge with the collective mind of the mass. As a result, individuals may experience decreased rationality and increased susceptibility to influence from other members of the group.

2. emotional contagion

Emotional contagion has been defined as the phenomenon by which emotions and moods spread rapidly within a crowd. When a strong emotion manifests itself in one or several individuals, it can spread like a wave through the mass, generating shared emotional responses that can be considered exacerbated, excessive or violent.

3. Suggestion

Suggestion refers to the capacity of influence of ideas, beliefs or messages that are emitted on individuals in a group and mass context. In this context of being part of a crowd, people are more susceptible to suggestion, so are more willing to adopt behaviors and opinions that they would not follow individually, but the action of suggestion and social influence comes into play.

4. group identity

Within a mass, individuals tend to abandon their individualized identity to move to identify and bond strongly with the group, which can give rise to a sense of belonging and solidarity. This group identity can influence the way in which individuals behave and make decisions, since they prioritize the well-being of the group over individual interests.

5. collective behavior

Collective behavior refers to the jumble of actions and decisions that emerge from a mass of people. This behavior can range from coordinated actions, such as demonstrations and protests, to irrational behavior and destructive when the mass is involved in conflict situations that endanger the group identity described previously.

Contemporary Applications and Ethics

In the age of information and globalization, mass psychology acquires even greater relevance due to the amplification of its reach through the media and platforms digital. Contemporary applications of this discipline cover various fields, from politics and marketing to communication and decision-making at a social level. However, with the power of influence that knowledge about crowd psychology brings, ethical questions also arise that must be approached responsibly and cautiously.

1. Policy and communication:

The understanding of crowd psychology has become a powerful tool for leaders and strategists who seek to win support and mobilize the masses towards certain goals. The use of emotional speeches, the management of narratives and the exploitation of collective fears and desires are practices that have been used to obtain popular support. It is crucial to consider ethics in the use of these tactics, making sure that people are not manipulated or misled, and respecting diversity of opinions and values.

2. Marketing and publicity:

Crowd psychology is applied to influence consumer behavior and generate demand for products and services. Data analysis and the use of psychological techniques can create highly persuasive campaigns. However, companies must take social responsibility into account and avoid manipulative practices that may violate consumer privacy or autonomy.

3. Social behavior and mobilization:

In the social field, mass psychology is also applied to understand and address collective problemssuch as participation in social movements or adherence to humanitarian causes. Effective mass mobilization to promote positive social change is a laudable goal, but it is It is essential to ensure that these actions are based on transparency, respect for human rights and the integrity.

4. Ethics and responsibility:

Ethics plays a central role in the study and application of crowd psychology. Practitioners and academics working in this field must take into account the implications of their research and practices on society. It is essential to avoid misusing knowledge about mass psychology to manipulate or control people, instead of empowering them and fostering critical and autonomous thinking.

Understand and raise awareness

In conclusion, crowd psychology has emphasized studying and understanding the way in which we function people when we form part of groups and take action in behaviors based mainly on the group and collective. However, this should also serve to raise awareness and learn about what kind of group attitudes or behaviors can be harmful, not only for the individual but also for groups. Crowd psychology is interesting for understanding the ways in which we can be collectively manipulated, learning to become aware of it and avoid as far as possible, that we happen.