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Herd Behavior
By CommonLit Staff
2014

"Herd behavior" is a term used to describe the tendency of individuals to think and act as a group. As you read,
take notes on how herd behavior affects the actions of humans.

Background

[1] The term “herd behavior” comes from the behavior of

animals in herds, particularly when they are in a
dangerous situation such as escaping a predator. All
of the animals band closely together in a group and,
in panic mode, move together as a unit. It is very
unusual for a member of the herd to stray from the
movement of the unit.

The term also applies to human behavior, and it

usually describes large numbers of people acting the
same way at the same time. It often has a "Herd of Goats" by Unknown is in the public domain.
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connotation of irrationality, as people’s actions are
driven by emotion rather than by thinking through a situation. Human herd behavior can be observed at large-
scale demonstrations, riots, strikes, religious gatherings, sports events, and outbreaks of mob violence. When
herd behavior sets in, an individual person’s judgment and opinion-forming process shut down as he or she
automatically follows the group’s movement and behavior.

Examples of Herd Behavior

Herd behavior in humans is frequently observed at times of danger and panic; for example, a fire in a building
often causes herd behavior, with people often suspending their individual reasoning and fleeing together in a
pack. People in a crisis that requires escape will attempt to move faster than normal, copy the actions of others,
interact physically with each other, and ignore alternative strategies in favor of following the mass escape trend.

Another commonly cited example of human herd behavior is the phenomenon of stock market bubbles. Large
stock market trends often begin and end with a mass frenzy of buying (bubbles) or selling (crashes). Many
observers see these stock market trends as examples of herding behavior because individuals are driven by
emotion rather than reason to “join the crowd”; greed drives mass buying frenzies, and fear drives crashes.

1. an idea or quality that a word expresses in addition to its meaning

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 Behavior in Crowds

[5] A more obvious example of human herd behavior occurs in dense public crowds or mobs. Crowds that gather
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because of a grievance or protest can involve herding behavior that becomes violent. Psychologists posit that
a “group mind” can overtake a mob and embolden people to act in ways they would not individually, increasing
the likelihood that situations become violent.

Sporting events can also create herd behavior on a violent scale. The football hooliganism prevalent in Europe
in the 1980s is a well-known example of sports-related herding behavior and violence. Overzealous fans of
football teams often engaged in unruly or destructive behavior in the name of supporting their team and
intimidating the rival team, to the extent that people involved could be badly injured or even killed.

Some historians believe that Adolf Hitler purposefully took advantage of herd behavior psychology by planting a
significant number of undercover German officers in the crowds at his speeches. These officers would
enthusiastically cheer for Hitler, and the rest of the crowd followed suit, making it seem as if the entire crowd
supported Hitler. These speeches would then be broadcast to a larger public audience, magnifying the effect.

Everyday Decision-Making

Herd behavior does not always have such harmful effects; it can be influential in people’s everyday, simple
decisions. For example, suppose that a family is walking down the street looking for a restaurant to have
dinner. If they pass a restaurant that is empty and one that is relatively crowded with patrons, they are far more
likely to choose the crowded one, on the assumption that it’s better because there are more people there.
Herding can be subtle in this way; it simply involves people’s tendency to follow a crowd rather than carve out
an individual path in many situations.

"Herd Behavior" by CommonLit Staff. Copyright © 2014 by CommonLit, Inc. This text is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA
2.0.

Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

2. Posit (verb) to propose or assume

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 Text-Dependent Questions
Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. Which of the following best summarizes the central idea of the text?
A. The actions of a large group can greatly influence an individual's actions.
B. Herd behavior suggests that there are limits to human beings' free will.
C. Crowds always become violent and chaotic when individuals begin to panic.
D. Even when acting alone, humans are not as advanced as we would like to think.

2. According to this article, what happens to a person's sense of individuality when they follow a
larger group?
A. It shuts down.
B. It grows weaker.
C. It grows stronger.
D. It remains the same.

3. Which statement best describes the relationship between the stock market and herd behavior?
A. Stock market employees work in a constant state of anxiety, much like herd animals.
B. Stock market bubbles and crashes are sometimes caused by herd behavior but are
most often caused by fear.
C. Herd behavior contributes to stock market changes because it compels stockbrokers to
act on emotion rather than reason.
D. Both herd behavior and the stock market are motivated mainly by greed, which
prevents people from using logic and reason.

4. Why does the author likely include the final section titled "Everyday Decision-Making" in the article?
A. to show how herd behavior can affect us daily
B. to show that herd behavior also occurs in smaller groups
C. to demonstrate how herd behavior allows individuals to avoid risks
D. to acknowledge that herd behavior is a problem that everyone faces

5. Summarize in 4-5 sentences how herd behavior affects individuals. Use examples from the text to
support your answer.

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 Discussion Questions
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to share
your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. Think of a real-life example when you have seen herd behavior in action. What do you think caused
the people in your example to think or act as a group? Do you remember seeing anyone who chose
to do something different from the rest of the group?

2. Think of a movie or a book in which someone has to stand up to a group. Why does this character
refuse to follow along and engage in herd behavior? In other words, what makes this character
different? What would you have done if you were in this character's shoes?