Classic theories of crowd behaviour

Le Bon Influence from the group His pathological viewpoint suggested that crowd behaviour was more the results of individuals personalities. The atmosphere of the group causes contagion and group members fall under the influence of a collective mind. Group members are suggestible, taking on the views of the group and imitating the actions of others in the group.

Le bon Evaluation Freud criticised that the group had a soul of its own. He emphasised that the group behaviour was the result of identification through the leader. His theory is also criticised by researchers who claim that crowds do not take on ‘a life of their own’ which is different and separate of the thoughts and behaviours of the individuals.

Turner and Killian Convergence theory and emergent norm theory Motive behind group behaviour is convergence upon a specific situation by like minded individuals with similar points of view. Crowd behaviour is ‘normless’ an individual will look to see what other people are doing and base their behaviour on what they are doing. If one persons behaviour is distinctive that behaviour is taken on by all of the crowd.

Turner and Killian Evaluation Not all crowd behaviours can be explained by the theory for example; behaviour that looks irrational such as a crowd running out of a building may in fact be rational if the building is on fire.

Questions Le bon suggested that crowd behaviour was more the results of? Individual personalities Why do the crowd imitate behaviour in Le bons theory? Because they are easily suggestible In Turner and Killians theory what is the motive behind group behaviour? Convergence of like minded individuals with simular points of view