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Herd Behavior
2014
“Herd behavior” is a term used to describe the tendency of
individuals to think and act as a group. As you read, take
notes on the causes of herd behavior.
Background The term “herd behavior” comes from the behavior of animals in
herds, particularly when they are in a dangerous situation such as escaping a
predator. All of the animals band closely together in a group and, in panic
mode, move together as a unit. It is very unusual for a member of the herd to
stray from the movement of the unit. The term also applies to human
behavior, and it usually describes large numbers of people acting the same
way at the same time. It often has a connotation of irrationality, as people’s
actions are driven by emotion rather than by thinking through a situation.
Human herd behavior can be observed at large-scale demonstrations, riots,
strikes, religious gatherings, sports events, and outbreaks of mob violence.
When herd behavior sets in, an individual person’s judgment and opinion
forming process shut down as he or she automatically follows the group’s
movement and behavior.
Examples of Herd Behavior
Herd behavior in humans is frequently observed at times of danger and panic;
for example, a fire in a building often causes herd behavior, with people often
suspending their individual reasoning and fleeing together in a pack. People
in a crisis that requires escape will attempt to move faster than normal, copy
the actions of others, interact physically with each other, and ignore
alternative strategies in favor of following the mass escape trend. Another
commonly cited example of human herd behavior is the phenomenon of stock
market bubbles. Large stock market trends often begin and end with a mass
frenzy of buying (bubbles) or selling (crashes). Many observers see these
stock market trends as examples of herding behavior because individuals are
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driven by emotion rather than reason to “join the crowd”; greed drives mass
buying frenzies, and fear drives crashes.
Behavior in Crowds
A more obvious example of human herd behavior occurs in dense public
crowds or mobs. Crowds that gather because of a grievance or protest can
involve herding behavior that becomes violent. Psychologists posit that a
“group mind” can overtake a mob and embolden people to act in ways they
would not individually, increasing the likelihood that situations become
violent. Sporting events can also create herd behavior on a violent scale. The
football hooliganism prevalent in Europe in the 1980s is a well-known
example of sports-related herding behavior and violence. Overzealous fans of
football teams often engaged in unruly or destructive behavior in the name of
supporting their team and intimidating the rival team, to the extent that
people involved could be badly injured or even killed. Some historians
believe that Adolf Hitler purposefully took advantage of herd behavior
psychology by planting a significant number of undercover German officers
in the crowds at his speeches. These officers would enthusiastically cheer for
Hitler, and the rest of the crowd followed suit, making it seem as if the entire
crowd supported Hitler. These speeches would then be broadcast to a larger
public audience, magnifying the effect.
Everyday Decision-Making
Herd behavior does not always have such harmful effects; it can be influential
in people’s everyday, simple decisions. For example, suppose that a family is
walking down the street looking for a restaurant to have dinner. If they pass a
restaurant that is empty and one that is relatively crowded with patrons, they
are far more likely to choose the crowded one, on the assumption that it’s
better because there are more people there. Herding can be subtle in this way;
it simply involves people's tendency to follow a crowd rather than carve out
an individual path in many situations.
1
Herd Behavior
2014
“Herd behavior” is a term used to describe the tendency of
individuals to think and act as a group. As you read, take
notes on the causes of herd behavior.
Background The term “herd behavior” comes from the behavior of animals in
herds, particularly when they are in a dangerous situation such as escaping a
predator. All of the animals band closely together in a group and, in panic
mode, move together as a unit. It is very unusual for a member of the herd to
stray from the movement of the unit. The term also applies to human
behavior, and it usually describes large numbers of people acting the same
way at the same time. It often has a connotation of irrationality, as people’s
actions are driven by emotion rather than by thinking through a situation.
Human herd behavior can be observed at large-scale demonstrations, riots,
strikes, religious gatherings, sports events, and outbreaks of mob violence.
When herd behavior sets in, an individual person’s judgment and opinion
forming process shut down as he or she automatically follows the group’s
movement and behavior.
Examples of Herd Behavior
Herd behavior in humans is frequently observed at times of danger and panic;
for example, a fire in a building often causes herd behavior, with people often
suspending their individual reasoning and fleeing together in a pack. People
in a crisis that requires escape will attempt to move faster than normal, copy
the actions of others, interact physically with each other, and ignore
alternative strategies in favor of following the mass escape trend. Another
commonly cited example of human herd behavior is the phenomenon of stock
market bubbles. Large stock market trends often begin and end with a mass
frenzy of buying (bubbles) or selling (crashes). Many observers see these
stock market trends as examples of herding behavior because individuals are
0
, 1
driven by emotion rather than reason to “join the crowd”; greed drives mass
buying frenzies, and fear drives crashes.
Behavior in Crowds
A more obvious example of human herd behavior occurs in dense public
crowds or mobs. Crowds that gather because of a grievance or protest can
involve herding behavior that becomes violent. Psychologists posit that a
“group mind” can overtake a mob and embolden people to act in ways they
would not individually, increasing the likelihood that situations become
violent. Sporting events can also create herd behavior on a violent scale. The
football hooliganism prevalent in Europe in the 1980s is a well-known
example of sports-related herding behavior and violence. Overzealous fans of
football teams often engaged in unruly or destructive behavior in the name of
supporting their team and intimidating the rival team, to the extent that
people involved could be badly injured or even killed. Some historians
believe that Adolf Hitler purposefully took advantage of herd behavior
psychology by planting a significant number of undercover German officers
in the crowds at his speeches. These officers would enthusiastically cheer for
Hitler, and the rest of the crowd followed suit, making it seem as if the entire
crowd supported Hitler. These speeches would then be broadcast to a larger
public audience, magnifying the effect.
Everyday Decision-Making
Herd behavior does not always have such harmful effects; it can be influential
in people’s everyday, simple decisions. For example, suppose that a family is
walking down the street looking for a restaurant to have dinner. If they pass a
restaurant that is empty and one that is relatively crowded with patrons, they
are far more likely to choose the crowded one, on the assumption that it’s
better because there are more people there. Herding can be subtle in this way;
it simply involves people's tendency to follow a crowd rather than carve out
an individual path in many situations.
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