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A peaceful audience at a sports event suddenly turns into a frenzied mob following a controversial decision by the refer…

Q1 FREE PREVIEW

A peaceful audience at a sports event suddenly turns into a frenzied mob following a controversial decision by the referee. Which factors are likely responsible for this transformation?

a

The audience's initial passive nature

b

The presence of clear and enforced rules

c

The polarisation of attention and shared emotions among the audience

d

The diverse opinions and behaviours within the crowd

✓ Correct answer: c)

The polarisation of attention and shared emotions among the audience

Explanation

A crowd is a collection of people who are physically close and share a common focus of attention. In a sports event, spectators are already emotionally involved in the performance of their team.

When the referee makes a controversial decision:

1. Polarisation of Attention

The attention of all spectators becomes focused on a single event—the referee's decision. This common focus intensifies reactions and makes people more responsive to the behaviour of others.

2. Shared Emotions

Members of the crowd begin to experience similar emotions such as anger, frustration, or disappointment. These emotions spread rapidly from one person to another.

3. Emotional Contagion

Strong emotions can spread quickly through a crowd. As more people express anger, others become influenced and react similarly.

4. Group Influence

Individuals in a crowd often feel less personally responsible for their actions and become more likely to follow the behaviour of the group.

As a result, a peaceful audience may transform into an aggressive or frenzied mob.

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