2025 Winning Essay – Vladislav Sorokin

Take a look at one of this year’s winning entries to the Immerse Education Essay Competition from the Psychology category.

Congratulations to all participants and in particular to those who have won 100% scholarships!

How Do Groups of People Behave Differently Than Individuals?

by Vladislav S

The Perils of Being Consumed by a Crowd

Imagine being in a building on fire, surrounded by a crowd running in one direction. Would you follow them, hoping they’d eventually find an exit, or would you try to find an escape route on your own? Such a scenario highlights the forces that influence human behavior in emergencies. To understand these dynamics, I will explore the psychological and social factors that compel people to follow crowds, even when it might not be the safest choice.

Mass or crowd behaviors, often referred to as mob psychology, swarm behavior, collective behavior, or herding, describe how individuals act within groups (Brindal et al., 2022). When individuals are unsure of what to do, they often follow the actions of others, especially in ambiguous or high-pressure situations (Brindal et al., 2022). Thus, some people may stop making their own decisions and follow the herd (Brindal et al., 2022). A well-documented case of this behavior occurred during the 2003 Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island (Lukasik, 2024). As the fire spread rapidly, the individuals, following each other, rushed toward the main entrance, creating a deadly bottleneck, even though there were three other exits available (Lukasik, 2024). The tragedy highlights how, in high-pressure situations, people frequently mimic the actions of others rather than evaluate their surroundings independently.

Deindividuation, another phenomenon, illustrates how anonymity within groups amplifies the overall urgency. A striking example of this occurred during Black Friday 2008, when customers ignored employees’ warnings to wait and began shoving, pushing, and trampling over one another in a crowded store (McFadden et al., 2008). The stampede resulted in the tragic death of one employee and several people being hospitalized with minor injuries (McFadden et al., 2008). This case demonstrates how people in groups often behave more confidently and fiercely as opposed to when they are surrounded by people they know or are on their own.

Beyond rational aspects, emotions significantly alter group behavior; this phenomenon is known as shared emotions or emotional contagion (Barsade, 2002). In groups, specifically crowds, emotions spread rapidly, influencing people’s behaviors and attitudes (Barsade, 2002). Emotional contagion is inherent to concerts; for example, during Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” tour in 2024-2025, numerous fans were singing along and sharing the excitement that united and compelled them to act similarly (Blakemore, 2023). They not only mirrored each other’s enthusiasm but also fed off the energy of the performer, amplifying the overall emotional intensity of the event (Blakemore, 2023). While this example underscores the positive aspects of emotional contagion, such as unity and joy, the same mechanism can induce panic during emergencies. If people are exposed to negative emotions, they will consume and spread them, creating a ripple effect, leading to drastically different consequences compared to those of positive emotions, such as the instances discussed previously.

Considering the points stated, the behavior of groups often diverges dramatically from that of individuals, as shown in the earlier provided cases. Paradoxically, while these phenomena can lead to chaos or irrationality, they also highlight the human need for connection and belonging. By better understanding the psychological and social forces that shape group behavior, society can take proactive measures to mitigate risks and harness the positive potential of collective action, especially in emergency planning or safer evacuations.

Bibliography

Barsade, S. G. (2002). The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior. Administrative Science Quarterly, 47(4), 644-675.

Blakemore, E. (2023). Concerts strike a chord with mental health. RED. https://red.msudenver.edu/2023/summer-concerts-strike-a-chord-with-mental-health/

Brindal, E., Kakoschke, N., Reeson, A., & Evans, D. (2022). Madness of the crowd: Understanding mass behaviors through a multidisciplinary lens. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 01-14.

Lukasik, T. (2024). Remembering The Station Nightclub Fire. Building Safety Journal – ICC. https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-dives/remembering-the-station-nightclub-fire/

McFadden, R. D., & Macropoulos, A. (2008). Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/business/29walmart.html

Why Apply To The Immerse Education Essay Competition? 

Are you a highly motivated student aged 13-18? Have you ever wanted to experience studying at one of the world’s top universities?

The Immerse Education essay competition gives you the chance to submit your own essay for the opportunity to be awarded a scholarship to attend one of our award-winning academic or career-based summer schools.

Ever wondered why people follow the crowd, act differently under pressure, or get swept up in the emotions of those around them? Our psychology summer school could help you investigate the fascinating forces behind human behaviour, from decision-making and identity to group influence and emotional contagion. If you’re intrigued by the darker side of collective behaviour, including public safety, social order, and why certain situations can spiral out of control, our criminology summer school could help you explore these questions from a fresh perspective. For a more flexible route into these topics, our online summer school lets you examine psychology, society, and group behaviour through expert-led teaching wherever you are.

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