14. Crowd behaviour II

Question 1

Cognitive transformation (or ‘self-stereotyping’)

Answer 1

• We alter our behaviour to be more stereotypical according to our self-categorised groups

Question 2

Relational transformation

Answer 2

• We alter our behaviour to be more stereotypical in relation to other members of our self-categorised groups
• Can result in sense of connection and intimacy

Question 3

Evidence for relational transformation

Answer 3

• More acceptance/enjoyment of others’ close physical presence (Novelli et al., 2010)
• Reduced disgust at others’ bodily odours (Reicher et al., 2016)
• Transformation at the Magh Mela
  (Hopkins et al., 2019)

Question 4

Affective transformation

Answer 4

As a result of the other transformations (closeness with the group, sense of belonging) people feel good

The validation of these emotions by the group makes them more intense

Question 5

Mass gatherings

Answer 5

An event where the number of people attending strains the local planning and response resources (WHO)

E.g. Olympics, World Cup, Glastonbury, Hajj

Question 6

What are crowd crushes?

Answer 6

‘Stampedes’ at mass gatherings

• Not accurate description: people do not ‘stampede’ out of fear, they are fearful because they are getting slowly crushed by crowd density
• Rare at the Hajj

Question 7

Wellbeing at Mass Gatherings

Answer 7

Mass gatherings seem like places of disease and danger (crowd crushes) but are also good for health

• Magh Mela results in good health (Tewari et al., 2012)
• Social connections made with others at festivals associated with wellbeing (Packer & Ballantyne, 2011)