active crowd

An active crowd is a group of people who come together with a shared mood and a common goal, often directed towards an external object or group. This type of collective behavior is typically aggressive and can manifest as a violent mob, though it can occasionally lead to heroic actions. The crucial element is the formation of a common mood focused on a specific target, which can lead to actions against established norms and inhibitions.12

Active crowds often arise from deep-seated frustrations within a segment of the population. When individuals feel a sense of power within the group and believe their actions are justified by the exceptional circumstances, inhibitions can be overcome. This can lead to a period of intense activity, sometimes described as a "Roman holiday," where inhibitions are dropped, and actions like looting or vandalism may occur. The duration of active crowd behavior can be limited by internal factors like fatigue or the reassertion of ingrained standards, or it can be ended by external forces like law enforcement.23