Crowd psychology examines how individual behavior is influenced by large groups, often leading to a loss of personal responsibility and increased emotionality. It highlights the tendency of crowds to act in ways that individuals might not when alone, often resulting from shared emotions and a sense of anonymity.
Behavioral contagion refers to the phenomenon where individuals unconsciously mimic or adopt the behaviors, attitudes, or emotions of others around them, often leading to a rapid spread of these behaviors within a group. This concept is crucial in understanding social dynamics, as it highlights how individual actions can influence group behavior, sometimes leading to positive outcomes like increased cooperation, or negative ones like the spread of panic.