Mob+Mentality

=Mob Mentality/Herd mentality=

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
People in these herds are ...influenced by the media- based upon what others perceive as 'right' (following trends, social norms, etc.). Nietzsche perceived these .. forms of subservience to be a weakness among the common man, and that the "Superman" as Nietzsche terms is the one who overcomes the values of the fallible herd.
 * Herd mentality** describes how people are influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors, follow trends and/or purchase items. Examples of herd mentality include the early adopters of high technology products, such as [|cell phones] and [|iPods], as well as [|stock market] trends, fashion apparel, cars, home décor, etc. Social psychologists study the related topics of [|group intelligence], [|crowd wisdom], and [|decentralized decision making].

Definition
The term herd mentality is derived from the word “[|herd],” meaning group of animals, and “[|mentality],” implying a certain frame of mind. However, the most succinct definition would be: how large numbers of people act in the same ways at the same times. [|Herd behavior] is distinguished from herd mentality because it applies to all animals, whereas the term “mentality” implies a uniquely human phenomenon. Herd mentality implies a fear-based reaction to peer pressure which makes individuals act in order to avoid feeling “left behind” from the group. Herd mentality is also sometimes known as "mob mentality."

History
Herd mentality and [|herd behavior] have been prevalent descriptors for human behavior since people began to form tribes, migrate in groups, and perform cooperative marketing and agricultural functions. The idea of a "[|group mind]" or "[|mob behavior]" was first put forward by 19th century French social psychologists [|Gabriel Tarde] and [|Gustav Le Bon]. Herd behavior in human societies has also been studied by [|Sigmund Freud] and [|Wilfred Trotter], whose book //Herd Instincts in Peace and War// is a classic in the field of social psychology. Sociologist and Economist [|Thorstein Veblen]’s //Theory of the Leisure Class// illustrates how individuals imitate other group members of higher social status in their consumer behavior. More recently, [|Malcolm Gladwell] in [|The Tipping Point], examines how cultural, social, and economic factors converge to create trends in consumer behavior. In 2004, the [|New Yorker]’s financial columnist [|James Suroweicki] published, //The Wisdom of Crowds//. Twenty-first century academic fields such as marketing and behavioral finance attempt to identify and predict the rational and irrational behavior of investors. (See the work of [|Daniel Kahneman], [|Robert Shiller], [|Vernon Smith], and [|Amos Tversky].) Driven by emotional reactions such as greed and fear, investors can be seen to join in frenetic purchasing and sales of stocks, creating [|bubbles] and [|crashes].

Here are some examples for you to consider. What motivates the actors/people in these videos to respond the way they do?

PS3 Released: Riots at Stores Across America
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Tomato Throwing Festival in Spain: Mobs Are NOT Always Angry
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Flash Mob: Frozen in Grand Central Station
Is this mob/herd mentality? Watch it twice and be thoughtful about the definition from above.

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Joyous Celebration Turns to Dangerous Riots: Aftermath of a Super Bowl Victory
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The Los Angeles Riots - 1992
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