Mumbai's shame & Crowd psychology

The shameful molestation episode on New Years eve at Mumbai demonstrates what is termed as crowd psychology. The crowd is said to have numbered around 70. The real culprits may have been just a few people, but the rest of the crowd that stood and watched this shameful spectacle did so, 'cos they had lost their power of thinking individually.

Sigmund Freud's crowd behavior theory states that people who are in a crowd act differently towards people than those who are thinking individually. The minds of the group would merge together to form a way of thinking. Each member's enthusiasm would be increased as a result, and one becomes less aware of the true nature of one's actions.

Now this in no way must be used to wish away what happened. Instead the media drive that is on now must provoke citizenry in Mumbai into helping catch the perpetrators of this terrible crime.

Comments

Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
sad!!


M a disciple to Mr sigmund Freud muself, but
the botheration to the passersby or the onlookers, to helping, here wld be,, that of self defence and an inability to combat the mob,, which might have been forearmed. Probably Its mere,,helpless resilience, more than ‘stone heartedness’.
Being a frequent visitor there,,to me its one of the most people friendly cities,, n more than that the whole “Mumbai spirit”, after the 7/11 train bombings does the talking..
Ray Titus said…
Fair enough...though I am not willing to go with the 'helpless' part...there are many out there who may not participate but are keen on watching a tamasha...

Also check this movie out when you can...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Accused

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