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AI-DRAFTED — PHYSICIAN REVIEW IN PROGRESSThe citation for this entry was checked against Crossref and PubMed, but its summary and interpretation were drafted by an AI model from the published abstract and have not yet been individually read by a physician. Read the linked source before relying on this operationally.
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The Psychology of Crowd Behavior[1]

Drury J · 2026 · Annu Rev Psychol

Summary

Annual Review of Psychology synthesis of the social identity approach to crowd behavior, by its leading researcher (Sussex). Organizes two decades of growth in three sections: crowd density behaviors, heightened emotion, mass-gatherings health, and identity-strengthening events; behavior in emergencies and how crowd models have shaped emergency-response policy and practice; and psychological change in collective action, public-order policing, and social influence. Emphasizes that the social identity program now has demonstrated practical applications beyond theory.

So what

The authoritative statement of the psychology that replaced "mob panic": crowds behave as groups with shared identity, and that identity shapes density tolerance, emotion, mutual aid in emergencies, and responses to policing. This is the behavioral-science pillar the crowd-dynamics domain needs beside the physics pillar (Helbing/Moussaid/Bain) — physics explains the forces, social identity explains the cooperation and the conflict — and Drury's work on emergency behavior (crowds as first responders, not obstacles) is doctrine-shaping for evacuation messaging and public-order interfaces. Cite as the field's current definitive review.

Key findings

  • Definitive Annual Review of the social identity approach to crowds
  • Covers density behavior, crowd emotion, mass-gathering health, identity effects
  • Emergency behavior research has directly shaped response policy and practice
  • Frames crowds as cooperative groups, not irrational mobs - the anti-panic paradigm
  • Companion behavioral pillar to the crowd-physics literature

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