What is mass hysteria and how does it spread?

Description: The article examines the phenomenon of mass hysteria, its psychological and social prerequisites and mechanisms of distribution. Examples from history and modernity are described in detail, as well as ways to recognize and counteract this phenomenon.



Introduction
At different times in history, humanity has faced the phenomenon of “mass hysteria.” This is a situation where sudden irrational fear or anxiety engulfs large groups of people. Sometimes this is due to rumors of a non-existent danger, and the more people “infected” with this fear, the more it affects reality. Sometimes mass panic turns into riots and even into real danger, although at first everything was just a fiction. If many people are at the same time afraid of something “ghost”, then this fear gets more and more power over their actions. In this article we will discuss what is behind the concept of “mass hysteria”, what conditions are necessary for its spread and how it can get out of control.

In today’s world, with its continuous stream of news and social media, mass hysteria can develop lightning fast. After all, the general fear is amplified by an avalanche of retweets, publications, “dividing” information in chat rooms. It is necessary to understand that mass hysteria is not an individual mental pathology, but an individual. sociopsychological A phenomenon that occurs when people do not adequately assess a situation under the influence of emotions. It can involve mythical threats (think of the fear of “radiation” from new technologies) or fictional villains (mysterious “robbers” that no one has seen). And although it usually turns out that there was no real danger after the waves subside, the very fact of mass fear leaves its mark on the history and consciousness of society.

Main part
1. What is mass hysteria?
Mass hysteria (in some sources, “mass psychogenic illness,” “collective hysteria,” or “group panic”) is a condition in which a large group of people, under the influence of fear or anxiety, begin to experience the same symptoms or behave in a similar way. All this can happen without objective reasons. Interestingly, people sincerely believe in the reality of the threat, and the “infection” with panic is amplified by mutual reinforcement.

In psychology, the phenomenon of mass hysteria is explained by several factors:

• The power of suggestion. When one person shows alarm or claims a threat, others tend to take it more seriously if they trust the source or see that “everybody thinks so.”
• A desire for belonging. People don’t want to “get out of the team”, so they copy the behavior and emotions of the majority.
• The desire to explain the incomprehensible. If the situation is unclear, mass hysteria can be a way to fill the information vacuum with some version.

The most famous historical examples are the “witch hunt” in the Middle Ages, “radiophobia” after the appearance of radioactive materials, panic over the radio play “War of the Worlds” in 1938 (many listeners believed that aliens invaded the Earth). Modern analogues: panic buying of goods in the case of widespread rumors about the shortage, or flash mobs in social networks, turning into a flight from a non-existent threat.

2. Conditions for the emergence of mass hysteria
To understand how irrational fear affects many people, you need to see a few prerequisites:

1. Information Hunger or Information Chaos. When there is no reliable information about the source of a possible threat (or too much data and they are contradictory), imagination and rumors begin to work. People would rather believe something than remain in a state of uncertainty.
2. Authority or "contagion" from a leader. If an opinion leader (blogger, TV presenter, politician) broadcasts a panic, the audience may uncritically accept his point of view. Similarly, a chain reaction occurs.
3. High levels of anxiety in society. When economic, political or social conditions are unstable, people are more vulnerable to panic attacks. In such an environment, a spark of fear quickly flares up into flames.
4. Social networks and media. In the era of “instant” communication, the slightest information (albeit doubtful) can spread virally, adding an emotional coloring.

All of these factors can be observed in many cases of mass psychosis, from "curses" in small villages to global pandemic fears. It is worth noting that people in a state of mass hysteria may exhibit somatic symptoms (nausea, dizziness, palpitations) that are actually caused by stress rather than a real physical cause.

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3. How the Mythical Threat Becomes Real
When a group of people convince themselves that there is some kind of disaster or “evil enemy” (although these fears are devoid of factual basis), over time, these beliefs begin to manifest in real actions. For example, calls for “protection from unknown evil” may occur spontaneous rallies, xenophobic actions or even aggressive actions “against an imaginary enemy”. Thus,False fear takes power over reality, people really suffer and commit acts dictated by unconfirmed panic.

Here the effect works: “If everyone is so afraid, then there is something!” It is difficult for a person to remain rational in a crowd gripped by emotions. The group dynamics are such that individual individuals prefer to play along with the general tendency, so as not to be rejected by society. As a result, the myth turns into a “social truth”, and it is very difficult to refute it, because the counter-arguments are either not heard or perceived as part of a conspiracy.

4. Examples from history and modernity

• "Dance Plague" 1518 Strasbourg, Holy Roman Empire People took to the streets in groups and danced until they were exhausted. This was supposed to be a "mass psychogenic reaction" to stress and poverty.
• Rumors of "mystical kidnappers". In different countries periodically pop up “horror stories” about dolls-killers, mysterious kidnappers of children. Mass panic leads to the fact that respectable citizens begin to “catch” innocent people, suspecting them as villains.
• Pandemic panic. Recall how in connection with some viral threats (for example, swine flu or COVID-19) massively bought buckwheat, toilet paper, etc. While some of the precautions are warranted, the crowds and frenzied buying point to elements of mass hysteria fueled by social media.

Modern society is not immune to such explosions of panic: just one improbable news, “flying” in a popular blog, to thousands of people began to sound the alarm.



5. How to recognize mass hysteria and protect yourself?
If you feel that the colors are beginning to thicken around, and alarming rumors are growing, it is worth asking a few questions:

1. What is the information based on? Is there a specific source or is it a “familiar friend said”?
2. Why are people so emotionally involved? Sometimes panic is fueled by news that elicits a strong fear or squeamish response but lacks confirmation.
3. Are there outside experts? If specialists (doctors, researchers, official structures) refute the “danger”, but the crowd does not believe, then the risk of mass hysteria is high.
4. What's your personal reaction? Try to analyze whether you are succumbing to the pressure of the environment. Keep critical thinking, check the facts.

Ways to resist “infection”:

• Verification of sources. In an era of media abundance, it is important to look for official data, the opinions of authoritative specialists, and not blindly believe the first rumors.
• Emotional self-regulation. Realize that mass panic is a response to fear. Try to pause, “cool” your feelings, and ask logical questions.
• Talking to loved ones. Talk to friends or family about what’s going on and share the information. Group rational thinking can be an antidote.

Conclusion
Mass hysteria is a phenomenon in which non-existent or exaggerated threats become “real” in the eyes of large groups of people. This process is fueled by emotions, lack of reliable data, the power of suggestion and social mechanisms of imitation. As a result, what was originally just a rumor can turn into a real problem: unrest, conflict, rejection of facts. The current age of digital technology and social media is accelerating these chain reactions.

But understanding the nature of mass hysteria gives us the tools to confront it. The ability to look critically at information, consult expert sources, remain calm and discuss suspicious news with reasonable people – all this helps to avoid becoming part of a panic wave. We know that fear grows when we passively “feed” it. Simply put, mass hysteria is a collective illusion that gains power if we let it.

Reading about these mechanisms, one can realize how important a responsible social and personal attitude is. Not every loud alarm bell should be a signal to panic. Sometimes it is necessary to give preference to calm analysis. After all, if many people are simultaneously afraid of something without reason, a paradox arises: the fear of the “invisible enemy” comes to life and begins to affect life as if it is really dangerous. Only our capacity for rational judgment can stop these insane circles of mass hysteria.

Glossary

• Mass psychogenic diseaseA mental and physical disorder that spreads in a group of people without objective reasons (self-suggestion or collective stress).
• Social psychologyA branch of psychology that studies human behavior and psyche in social groups and in interaction with society.
• Rumours.Unofficial, unconfirmed information, quickly spreading in the team.
• Group dynamicsprocesses that arise in the interaction of people in a group (role distribution, norms, group decisions).
• PsychosomaticsThe effect of mental factors on the body (when stress can cause real symptoms).
• Social imitation machineryThe tendency of people to copy the attitudes and behaviors of others, especially in an atmosphere of anxiety.
• Information vacuumA situation where there are no or few reliable sources of information, which increases the search for rumors and guesses.
• Rational thinkingThe ability to analyze facts, separating them from emotions, superstitions and prejudices.