We reached the end of Super Bowl 2022, leaving some fans happy and some not so happy. Such is the case when you have two opposing sports teams facing off in a climactic conclusion to find out who will be the champions for the season, creating an emotional reaction that creates a large gathering of “like-minded” people.
As protectors, it is essential to understand a ruly crowd (celebratory) and an unruly group (criminal intent)—the result in not understanding the participants’ is over-reaction or under-reacting to the circumstance.

Regardless of how a group of people is collected, mass gatherings can end in a dangerous situation despite their initial purpose.
I used the term “like-minded” in jest because, more often than not, groups collectively gather for a common cause and positive reasons to become part of something they did not sign on unknowingly.

So what is Mob Mentality? In the basic sense, individuals lose their independent thought and purpose due to the influences of the larger group.

    – invulnerability

When part of a larger pack, our individual perceived weaknesses, such as the inability to speak out suddenly, is strengthened by a collective voice within the group that appears on par with our internal thoughts. Suddenly we become invulnerable, lose inhibitions, and disregard risks.

    – rationalization

As we discover that the overall group’s direction does not align with our thinking, we begin to rationalize the differences between our own opinions and others.

    – censorship

Because we experience belonging and strength in the group, we do not want to separate ourselves from others; we begin to censor ourselves by not speaking our thoughts to maintain the emotional lift experienced.

    – groupthink

When a person is vulnerable and unable to communicate their purpose or intention through actions, other stronger-willed personalities begin to surface and direct the group’s activities.

When overpowering leadership gains control, they progress the shiftings of the group based on their moral standards – they have achieved the buy-in of everyone else to follow their moral compass.

The longer a mass gathering continues, the more empowerment the group will have, turning any gathering negative – violent or destructive.
Using the four points above to understand the behaviors of people amassed, you can allow for gatherings to continue for some time and identify when it’s time to diffuse the situation.
Regardless of the cause creating the crowd, you must allow time to “blow off steam.” In other words, enable their point to be made. If they celebrate a win, point of political or cultural view, or put a cap on the night in the club, allow them time to revel in their purpose.

Here are just a few suggested ways you may control the focus of a crowd before things may turn in the wrong direction.

• Create a plan with identified purposes for each component of the strategy.
• Limit the time a crowd may gather; accomplished through limiting regulated gatherings or moving the group to change the makeup of the participants.
• Restrict or disallow the consumption of alcohol during a gathering or event.
• Whenever possible, utilize surveillance people within the crowd armed to identify behavioral patterns.
• As a protector, control your own emotions and reactions to situations – do not become part of the groupthink! Leave your personal feelings out of your professional responsibilities.