"The Herd Mentality: Why We Follow the Crowd—And How to Think for Yourself" – Part I

From politics to campus ragging, understanding group psychology can help Sri Lankans break free from dangerous conformity

- BY SENIOR PROFESSOR E. P. S. CHANDANA

We often see ourselves as rational beings, yet in group settings, our actions frequently contradict our personal judgment.

Whether it's students silently enduring ragging, voters swept up in political frenzy, or ordinary people following unethical commands, our behaviour in crowds can appear irrational. This isn't due to weakness, but rather to the hidden wiring of the human brain. While we like to believe that logic governs our choices, group dynamics often awaken deep emotional instincts that override reason. When we become part of a group—be it a crowd, community, or institution—we risk losing the very thing that defines us: our individual judgment. This paradox stems from evolutionary survival mechanisms that once helped us thrive in tribes but now, in modern society, can lead us astray.

The Emotional Brain and Evolutionary Psychology