Herd Behavior

a term used to describe the tendency of individuals to think and act as a group

• riot
• connotation 
• assumption
• herd behavior

a violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd

• herd behavior
• assumption
• riot
• connotation

 an idea or quality that a word expresses in addition to its meaning

• connotation
• riot
• herd behavior
• assumption

a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

• riot
• assumption
• connotation
• herd behavior

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 quote from the article best represents 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 opinionforming 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.
• Stock market bubbles and crashes are sometimes caused by herd behavior but are most often caused by fear. 

Why does the author likely include the final section titled “Everyday Decision-Making” in the article? *RE-READ THAT SECTION BEFORE CHOOSING AN ANSWER!*

• 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

How does paragraph 7 contribute to the development of ideas in the article? 

• It explains why people engage in herd behaviors. 
• It shows how dangerous herd behavior can be. 
• It describes how Hitler used herd behavior.