Gustave Le Bon: Crowd Psychology

Summary

In 'Psychology of Crowds,' Gustav LeBon explores the unique psychology of crowds, highlighting how individuals in a group can act instinctively and irrationally, differing from their usual civilized selves. He identifies three key factors influencing crowd behavior: anonymity, which emboldens individuals; contagion, spreading sentiments and actions; and suggestibility, making individuals susceptible to influence. While crowds can be violent and irrational, they can also display remarkable heroism, as seen in the example of ancient Sparta, where communal values fostered bravery and selflessness.

Takeaways

• 📚 Gustav LeBon's 1895 treatise 'Psychology of Crowds' is foundational in the study of crowd psychology.
• 👥 A crowd is a collective with psychological characteristics distinct from the individuals within it.
• 🔄 Crowd behavior can lead to a 'descent' in civilization, transforming cultivated individuals into more instinctual, barbaric actors.
• 🕵️ Anonymity within a crowd provides individuals with a sense of invincible power, often leading to a loss of moral responsibility and fear of consequences.
• 🤝 Contagion in crowds can cause irrational behaviors to spread rapidly, as seen in the example of the 'Pet Rock' fad.
• 🧲 Suggestibility makes individuals in a crowd susceptible to the influence of others, akin to a hypnotized state.
• 🗣️ Demagogues, like Adolf Hitler, can exploit crowd suggestibility to incite prejudiced and violent actions.
• 🛡️ Crowds are not inherently negative; they can also display heroism and self-sacrifice for a cause or idea.
• 🏛️ The ancient Greek city-state of Sparta exemplifies how a crowd can be cultivated to exhibit bravery and heroism.
• 🔑 Crowd psychology is complex, encompassing both the potential for irrational violence and the capacity for noble actions.
• 📈 Understanding crowd psychology is crucial for interpreting modern mass movements and their impact on society.

Q & A

What is the title of Gustav LeBon's 1895 treatise?

The title of Gustav LeBon's 1895 treatise is 'Psychology of Crowds'.

Who is Gustav LeBon and what is his contribution to the field of crowd psychology?

Gustav LeBon is a French sociologist who is one of the first scholars in the field of crowd psychology, asserting that individuals within a crowd behave differently than when they are alone.

What does LeBon suggest is the psychological perspective of a crowd?

According to LeBon, a crowd from a psychological perspective is an assembly that possesses characteristics very different from those of the individuals who compose it.

How does LeBon describe the effect of a crowd on an individual's behavior?

LeBon suggests that by forming part of an organized crowd, a man descends several rungs in the ladder of civilization and acts more by instinct, akin to a barbarian.

What are the three causes that produce the distinct characteristics of a crowd according to LeBon?

The three causes LeBon identifies are anonymity, contagion, and suggestibility.

Why does anonymity in a crowd lead to individuals yielding to instincts they would normally restrain?

Anonymity in a crowd gives individuals a sentiment of invincible power and makes them feel less accountable for their actions, leading them to yield to instincts that they would normally keep under restraint.

What is the role of contagion in crowd behavior as described by LeBon?

Contagion in a crowd makes every sentiment and act highly contagious, causing individuals to readily sacrifice their personal interests to the collective interest.

Can you provide an example of contagion from the script?

The script provides the example of pet rocks, a fad that swept across America, demonstrating how an irrational act can become contagious in a crowd.

What does suggestibility in a crowd entail and how does it affect individuals?

Suggestibility in a crowd entails that an individual immersed in a crowd for some time finds himself in a special state resembling the state of fascination, making him susceptible to the influence of the crowd or a leader.

How does LeBon differentiate between the negative and positive aspects of crowd behavior?

LeBon acknowledges that while crowds can be irrational, violent, and immoral, they can also be heroic. Crowds can be induced to run risks for the triumph of a creed or idea, displaying a level of heroism that history often records.

What historical example does the script provide to illustrate the positive aspects of crowd behavior?

The script provides the example of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, which cultivated a sense of community and heroism in its citizens, creating a powerful and obedient crowd known for bravery.