Mass hysteria, also known as collective hysteria, is a phenomenon where a large group of people experience similar symptoms that are caused by psychological rather than physical factors It is most commonly seen in highly emotional situations, or when a group of people come together with similar beliefs and fears. People often experience mass hysteria after experiencing a traumatic event or when faced with particularly stressful situations.
Mass hysteria has been observed throughout history, with some cases being more extreme than others. Examples of mass hysteria vary in scope and intensity, but all are characterized by collective fear or emotion. Here are five of the most noteworthy examples of mass hysteria:
1. The Salem Witch Trials: In 1692, in the New England town of Salem, Massachusetts, a series of mass hysterias broke out accusing people of being witches, resulting in the arrests and executions of dozens of people. The initial hysteria was caused by the alleged visions of young girls, who claimed they were bewitched by their neighbors. Accusations spread and soon the whole town was convinced that witches were responsible for many of the recent deaths in the town.
2. The Dancing Plague of 1518: This event occurred in a small village in Strasbourg, France, where a group of people suddenly broke out into a frenzied dancing mania. This mass hysteria was believed to have been caused by the overwhelming fear of an outbreak of the plague and many of those affected died from exhaustion.
3. The Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic of 1962: This strange episode began at a mission-run boarding school in Tanganyika and spread to other schools in the area. It started with three girls laughing uncontrollably and soon spread to over 900 students, lasting for six-months with no medical explanation.
4. The War of the Worlds Panic of 1938: This example of mass hysteria occurred after an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel “War of the Worlds” was broadcast in 1938. People in some areas of the United States believed that an alien invasion was occurring and began to flee their homes in fear.
5. The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic of 1954: During this event, hundreds of drivers in Seattle claimed that their windshields had become pitted with mysterious circular marks. It was later discovered that the pitting was actually caused by sandblasting, but the initial panic was caused by rumors of space aliens.
These are just a few of the examples of mass hysteria that have occurred throughout history. While these events may seem far-fetched, collective fear and emotion can still be seen in everyday life and can have serious consequences. It is important to be aware of the signs of mass hysteria and how to respond to it in order to prevent it from escalating and leading to further tragedy.