Why People Follow the Crowd

Choose the group of words that convey the author's attitude about herd behavior.

• unit, together, interact

• irrationality, dangerous, embolden

In paragraph 5, the author says that "Psychologists posit that a "group mind" can overtake a mob and embolden people to act in ways they would not individually, increasing the likelihood that situations become violent." What does the word embolden mean as it is used in the passage?

• To give someone courage

• To deny freedom

What is one major historical figure that this article mentions?

• Stalin
• Hitler

Choose the quote that BEST conveys a positive aspect of herd behavior.

• "Herd behavior does not always have such harmful effects; it can be influential in people's everyday, simple decisions."
• "Herding can be subtle in this way; it simply involves people's tendency to follow a crowd rather than carve out an individual path in many situations."

What is "herd behavior"?

• It is a term that is used to compare livestock to humans.
• A term to describe large numbers of people acting the same way at the same time.

Choose the quote that BEST conveys the author's attitude.

• "When herd behavior sets in, an individual person's judgment and opinion-forming process shuts down as he or she automatically follows the group's movement and behavior."
• "Human behavior can be observed at large-scale demonstrations, riots, strikes, religious gatherings, sports events, and outbreaks of mob violence."

Which of the following best summarizes the central idea of the text?

• Even when acting alone, humans are not as advanced as we would like to think.

• Herd behavior suggests that there are limits to human beings’ free will.

• The actions of a large group can greatly influence an individual’s decisions.

• Crowds always become violent and chaotic when individuals begin to panic

Which of the following quotes best supports the central idea?

• “All of the animals band closely together in a group and, in panic mode, move together as a unit” (Paragraph 1)

• “When herd behavior sets in, an individual person’s judgment and opinion-forming process shut down” (Paragraph 2)

• “Herd behavior in humans is frequently observed at times of danger and panic; for example, a fire in a building” (Paragraph 3)

• “suppose that a family is walking down the street looking for a restaurant to have dinner” (Paragraph 8 )

Which statement best describes the relationship between the stock market and herd behavior?

• Stock market employees work in a constant state of anxiety, much like herding animals.

• Herd behavior contributes to stock market surges and crashes because it compels stockbrokers to act on emotion rather than reason.

• Both herd behavior and the stock market are motivated mainly by greed, which prevents people from using logic and reason.

Why does the author likely include the final section titled “Everyday Decision-Making” in the article?

• to show how not every case of herd behavior is necessarily negative or violent

• to show that herd behavior also occurs in smaller groups

• to demonstrate how herd behavior allows individuals to avoid risks

• to acknowledge that herd behavior is a problem that everyone faces