A phenomenon in
mob psychology where a large group spontaneously joins into a monolithic,
like-minded alliance with a sole purpose. The alliance is neither deliberate nor planned, but results from the powerful human instinct to protect the community.
While traditional
mob psychology focuses on how crowds become instantly disorderly and chaotic, mass formation theory demonstrates how crowds become instantly orderly and unified. The word "formation" is used to invoke the image of a flight formation of fighter jets: the jets move in perfect "formation" with each other, as if they are one.
Mass formations can be either positive or negative.
POSITIVE EXAMPLES -- A
mob can spontaneously unite during a momentary crisis (fire, earthquake, etc) becoming a powerful
force for combatting the crisis, and/or saving those imperiled by the crisis. Examples include a bucket brigade fighting a fire, or a human chain of
people attempting to rescue someone who fell through thin ice.
NEGATIVE EXAMPLES -- A
mob can join into a silent, angry
wall of (temporarily) wordless and (temporarily) motionless hostility against a solitary
individual. This community-wide
anger can culminate with an entire village acting in a blind fury to punish, banish, or execute the offender.
Some Hollywood films included scenes with mass formations.
POSITIVE SCENES: "It's a Wonderful life," "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming,"
NEGATIVE SCENES: "Home
Alone," "Angels and Demons," "Game of Thrones."
