Crowd psychology characterises the group dynamics of a large group (or "crowd").

Negatively construed as a "mob", positively seen as the expression of popular democracy, crowds have a reputation for fickle, often irrational and potentially violent behaviour. Skilled organisation and appropriate rituals may artificially promote intense solidarity and enthusiasm.

French social psychologist Gustave Le Bon is responsible for the early work on Crowd behaviour.

Bibliography

• Le Bon, Gustave. (1895) The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind (http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=445). Project Gutenberg.

See also

• Earl Newsom
• Herd instinct
• LGAT
• Nuremberg rally
• Mob mentality
• Groupthink