Do people really behave differently in a crowd?

Do people really behave differently in a crowd?

Author: ABC Australia May 24, 2025 Duration: 31:25

Panicky. Irrational. Impulsive. These are the traits that have long been associated with crowd behaviour.

But modern crowd science suggests that’s an incomplete, if not inaccurate picture.

From crowd crushes to terrorist attacks, we take a closer look at how people really behave in crowds, and what you can do to keep yourself safe in one.

Want to listen to more All in the Mind? Check out our episode, Can music inspire mania?

Guest:

Associate Professor Milad HaghaniPrincipal Fellow in Urban Resilience & MobilityUniversity of Melbourne

Credits: 

  • Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
  • Senior producer: James Bullen
  • Producer: Rose Kerr
  • Sound engineer: Roi Huberman

More info:

How simple behavioural modifications can influence evacuation efficiency of crowds: Part 1. Decision making of individuals

How simple behavioural modifications can influence evacuation efficiency of crowds: Part 2. Physical movement of individuals

How behavioural changes in social groups affect evacuation efficiency of crowds

Contemporary understanding of riots: Classical crowd psychology, ideology and the social identity approach

The role of social identity processes in mass emergency behaviour: An integrative review

English riots 2011: new research shows why crowd behaviour isn't contagious

How to stay safe in a New Year's Eve crowd


Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 251

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
Humour me: why we laugh and what counts as funny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Why do we laugh, and what makes something funny? A psychologist, a neuroscientist and satirist Mark Humphries weigh in on humour and the brain.
All In The Mind presents... What The Duck?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:34
An excerpt from a new ABC podcast called What the Duck?! Each week the ABC's resident nature nerd Ann Jones explores the most unusual elements of our natural world — the ones that make you go What the Duck?!
The pleasure of pain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Spicy food, scary movies, BDSM … why do humans sometimes chase painful experiences and how are they linked to pleasure?
'Utterly catastrophic' — life with frontotemporal dementia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is tricky to pick up at the doctor's office and impossible to cure. And for those who live with the condition, their families and their carers, the situation can be very challenging.On Al…
Seeing red — anger and aggression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:29
What happens when we let our most destructive emotion dominate?On All in the Mind this week, we explore why we get angry, how you might control aggression and whether it can ever be ... useful.
Toxic positivity — when happiness becomes harmful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
We're urged to stay positive and keep up a cheerful disposition ... but sometimes things are just awful, aren’t they?On All in the Mind this week we look at why we engage in toxic positivity, why it's so damaging when we…
Controlling the chatter in your head [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Most of us have an inner voice – it reminds you to pick up milk on your way home, helps problem solve, or rehearse what you’re going to say.But there are times that helpful voice veers into harmful chatter.
How our brain chemicals drive our behaviour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:09
You’ve heard of adrenaline, oxytocin and cortisol, but what about glutamate and GABA?And how much do you really know about the chemicals coursing through your brain?On All in the Mind this week, we take a whistle stop to…
Post-partum psychosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Having a baby is supposed to be a joyous time, despite the sleep deprivation and constant crying.But for many women, it can be a dark time. We know one in six suffer post partum depression, but there's another condition…
The damage done by emotionally immature parents (and how to heal) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
How would you describe your parents?Nobody's perfect, of course, but some parents leave more of a mark than others.On All in the Mind this week, we look at the life-long impact of having 'emotionally immature' parents.Th…