Mental Unity of Crowds

Under certain given circumstances, and only under those circumstances, an agglomeration of men presents new characteristics very different from those of the individuals composing it. The sentiments and ideas of all the persons in the gathering take one and the same direction, and their conscious personality vanishes. A collective mind is formed, doubtless transitory, but presenting very clearly defined characteristics. The gathering has thus become what, in the absence of a better expression, I will call an organized crowd, or, if the term is considered preferable, a psychological crowd. It forms a single being and is subject to the law of the mental unity of crowds.

Notes:

People behave differently as individuals than when they are working in a group.

Folksonomies: sociology

Taxonomies:
/law, govt and politics (0.684915)
/hobbies and interests/magic and illusion (0.499829)
/health and fitness/disorders/mental disorder (0.498505)

Keywords:
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The Crowd

Books, Brochures, and Chapters>Book: Le Bon , Gustave (1897), The Crowd, Retrieved on 2012-06-11

Source Material [books.google.com]

Folksonomies: psychology