Mass Hysteria
Mass hysteria refers to a phenomenon where a large group of individuals exhibit irrational or extreme emotional reactions, beliefs, or behaviors. This collective delusion often spreads rapidly and affects a community or population, causing widespread panic, fear, or anxiety.
Causes
Mass hysteria can stem from various factors, including:
- Social contagion
- Fear, stress, or anxiety
- Rumors or misinformation
- Media influence
- Cultural or religious beliefs
- Historical or societal events
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of mass hysteria include:
- Mass anxiety or panic
- Hallucinations or sensory distortions
- Collective fits, fainting, or seizures
- Mass psychogenic illness (e.g., conversion disorder)
- Mass delusions or beliefs in supernatural occurrences
- Imitative behaviors or copycat actions
Examples throughout history
Mass hysteria has been documented throughout history and has manifested in various forms. Some notable examples include:
- The Salem Witch Trials (1692)
- The Dancing Plague of 1518
- The War of the Worlds radio broadcast panic (1938)
- The Satanic ritual abuse panic in the 1980s
- The widespread panic over Y2K (1999-2000)