By SheelaR

I’ve never truly understood the concept of ‘Mob Mentality’ until recently.  I must admit, I’m intrigued.  The thought that seemingly ‘normal’ people would behave in such extremes got me to thinking about the darker side of human behavior.  People in mobs really do behave like packs of wild dogs.  Ironically, the first time I paid attention to this term was when it was used by a friend to describe a particular group of people that we encountered.  It didn’t quite click then, but now…  http://source.southuniversity.edu/examining-the-mob-mentality-31395.aspx

It is disturbing because they have no sense of awareness in terms of their own wild behavior, nor do they have any sense of logic or reasoning.  It reminds me of the movie ‘Rosewood.’ If you’ve never seen it please do.   As intriguing as it is, it is equally frightening.  Any attempt to reason and one is met with being ostracized and demonized.  There shall be no dissension from any member of the mob/pack.  It is fascinating to see a mob/pack in motion. 

At the helm of most loosely organized mobs/packs is generally what I call, the ‘brain’.  Not necessarily because the brain is smarter than the rest of the mob/pack.  The ‘brain’ is usually a charmer, a snake charmer, if you will.  Exhibiting the types of behaviors we see generally in sociopaths. I would venture to guess that the ‘brain’ would be diagnosed as a sociopath by those in the mental health community http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sociopath 

I would liken the ‘brain’ to personalities such as David Koresh, Jim Jones, Charles Manson and Marshall Applewhite. He is charming and he has a message for you. I call it “drinking the Kool-Aid syndrome.”  Social networking is a breeding ground for this alarming behavior. I’ve personally seen it from the inside and the very outside and I must admit, I have a little bit of respect for the ‘brain.’  It takes a certain kind of je ne sais quoi to be able to relieve so many people of their ability to think and reason on their own.  In an odd sort of way, it’s a talent.  Pat yourself on the back, you got them to drink the Kool-Aid.