Mob mentality

It’s an interesting phenomenon. Sometimes it’s called “herd behavior” or “crowd hysteria”. You get a large group of people together and they just go crazy. Individually, they may each be fine, upstanding citizens. Yet, when they’re put together in a large enough group, chaos ensues. Not every time obviously, but it happens.

Back when I was teaching junior high, I saw this a lot. I had some very large classes and they could easily get out of control if I let them. One of my best classes was symphonic band. It was an elective and the students had to audition to get in, so all of them really wanted to be there. The vast majority of them were A and B students, many in honors classes as well. Individually, each student in that class was very well-behaved, and I really enjoyed teaching them and interacting with them. In small groups. But when they were all together, they were so hard to deal with! Nothing malicious or anything like that, but so hyperactive and out of control! I learned quickly that even the very best of students, when put in a large group, could deteriorate into a herd of wild animals. I think that is one of the reasons that they tell you to deal with discipline issues individually with students. You have to separate them from the herd to get them back to their “normal” state of being.

I’ve discovered this to be true with my own small “herd” as well. Interacting with my sons one-on-one is a completely different story than when they’re all together. When I actually have a moment to be with just one of them I think, “Wow, you’re a pleasant child. How long have you been like this?” (Not when I’m dealing with a fit, mind you. Just normal, everyday interactions.) But when they’re together….

I’m reminded sometimes of a song from Disney’s “Pocahontas” (which the boys watched today):

Savages! Savages! Barely even human. Savages! Savages! Killers at the core. They’re different from us. Which means they can’t be trusted. Now we sound the drums of war!

So if you’re ever driving by my house, and you see me sitting all huddled up on the roof, don’t worry. I’m just hiding from the mob.

*Note: Obviously, they’re not like this all the time. Sometimes they play together very sweetly. For about 15 seconds.