Crowds & antisocial behaviour
- When someone is part of a crowd they may behave differently from how they would behave when they are alone or when their behaviour is in ‘full view’ as it were
- Being in a crowd means that individuals are less likely to be noticed
- Le Bon (1895) claimed that people lose their inhibitions and their sense of personal identity when they are part of a crowd
- This is called deindividuation
- When someone is part of a crowd their sense of right and wrong may be lost as they are less likely to feel responsible for their actions (see Milgram’s agency theory covered here)
- Crowds give individuals anonymity:
- It is much easier to act against your own character and beliefs if you are hidden in a crowd
- Anonymity may explain why some people wear masks during riots or other crowd-led antisocial behaviour
- Examples of crowds and antisocial behaviour are:
- A football fan rioting with fellow fans after a match in which their team lost
- A child going along with a gang of bullies who are tormenting another child
- People who behave in an antisocial manner as part of a crowd are generally not violent, aggressive or law-breaking types
- It is the anonymity and freedom from social norms offered by the crowd situation that ‘releases’ these negative behaviours
Crowds and antisocial behaviour diagram
Individuality gets swallowed up by a crowd.
Exam Tip
Being part of a crowd at, say, a protest march or demonstration can be a good thing, it does not necessarily have to culminate in antisocial behaviour; everyone should have the right to protest peacefully. Taking part in demonstrations can be a unifying experience and bring with it great self-esteem and the feeling that you are making a difference in the world.