Mob Rules....??

Question

It has always been interesting for me to see folks who can think for themselves, yet placed in a situation where they are part of a large group, all autonomy flies out the window. People have higher IQ's 1-on-1 than when in a large group. The larger the group, the more primitive nature takes over and evolved rational thinking decreases. This not solely pertain to an insolent mob raging down the street. It is also illustrated when you look at whole groups of people as opposed to individuals within it. Classic examples are groups forming racial division, political party affiliation, and genders. Do you always think for yourself or do you often find yourself surrendering to the collective will of the mob?

Answer 1

First, I think if people are part of a "mob", they have something in common to begin with, even if it is as simple as having a common desire/purpose to be in the same place. For those who are philosophically 180 degrees from the mob sentiment wouldn't be there in the first place, or if they find themselves there, will not remain to be part of the mob. Those left then have feelings in common, even if they are not totally in agreement.

Next, it comes down to emotions much more than higher level thinking. Being caught up in an emotional tide of a situation seems to push rational thought aside. Finally, the small rafts of rational thinking which surface are easy to dismiss because of the feelings of peer pressure ("how can I by myself inject rational thinking into this mob") and anonymity (I'm not singled out - everyone is part of this").

Answer 2

No i don't follow the mob because the way i grew up with the mob rules.No matter how tough you are 4to8 people will take you down and beat you.I will have to agree with you on these things.I try not to get my mind caught up with the rush.It's hard to walk away from something mesmerising.But thinking about it now i will agree i do follow at times if it is safe.

Answer 3

I don't find myself giving into mob mentality. Even when on a sports team psyching ourselves up - I'm removed and don't get taken away in it..
But I imagine if it was a matter of life and death - say, being a member of a military unit under stress and danger, with adrenalin flowing - I would probably give up much of my rationality and become part of that type of mob and just follow the leader.

Answer 4

From the time I was a little, little, kid I have been strong enough to think for myself; and as I've gotten older and older, I've come to value that part of my personality more and more.

My father used to talk about people sometimes because they would seem oblivious to the fact that they may be wrong. He would joke, "They're the kind of people who think, 'I'm right and the world is wrong'". I knew what he meant, but as I grew up I also learned that there are actually times in this life when I may be right and the world may be wrong. It takes a lot of strength and confidence to be able to consider the possibility (in the face of not wanting to seem like a nut or obnoxious) that we may be right and the world could at times be wrong.

I think the reason it appears that people in groups lose their sense of autonomy could be that they are people who will join groups in the first place. Independent and strong thinkers tend to stay out of groups, and if the "group" is their own gender they tend not to fit stereotypes.

I tend to think that all IQ's don't shrink when people are in groups. I think, instead, that the people who will follow the group's thinking/behavior don't quite have the IQ they should have in the first place.

I tend to also believe that it isn't about IQ as much as it is about having a solid sense of sureness about one's own views; and so often people aren't sure enough of themselves to be strong enough to stand up to a group. Also, though, I think so many people are raised to so despise confidence and sureness that many people would rather go with the group than show any signs of confidence or sureness (and be seen as a "know it all" or obnoxious by the group).

Refusing to go along with a group is not the easy way to go. It can make life difficult in large and small ways on a day-to-day as well as long-term basis - but people who are not willing to go along with a group feel they have no choice but to take the difficult route because they see it as the only route.

Not following what others think/say also requires a life's-worth of thinking out every little issue and opinion there is. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time and a lot of thinking.

If there is one thing I am grateful to my parents for it is the fact that they raised me to be as independent and strong as I am. If there is one thing I hope I have given my own children is that gift of being independent and strong. If there is one thing I wish more people in the world had it would be that sense of being independent and strong - not just when they're alone but when they're in that group and it gets more challenging.