One might call it mob violence, crowd hysteria or herd behaviour — the phenomenon behind it is de-individuation, according to Dr Anita Aijaz, a psychiatrist at Psychosocial Centre, Karachi. “In simpler words it is the loss of self awareness or individual identity when you are part of a group.” When they are part of a mob which has gotten together for a shared agenda, these individuals are less likely to follow normal restraint and waive any respect for social norms. “The inhibitions or qualms which they would normally have when they are alone dissolve when they consider themselves a piece in a large chaotic jigsaw puzzle.”
Dr Aijaz says that one very vital aspect which drives people to exhibit extra bravado in a group is physical anonymity. “They know that they are part of a group and an individual is confident that he cannot be held responsible for the acts of the group.” This diffusion of responsibility makes them indulge in dangerous and reckless behaviour.
According to Dr Anita the reasons for such riots are always a reaction to a perceived grievance or out of dissent. If viewed historically, riots have occurred due to poor working or living conditions, governmental oppression, conflicts between ethnic groups or religious differences or even something seemingly inconsequential and trivial as the outcome of a sporting event.
“The same frustration is rampant in our countrymen too; however on that ill-fated Friday, Sept 21, that anger was displaced,” she explains. “When so much anger festers in society and people have an opportunity to vent their displaced anger, they will do so without thinking reasonably. We see people protest against electricity breakdown — in their blinding anger they wreak such havoc which might aggravate the problem rather than alleviating it”.
As to why Pakistanis set fire and ransack their own buildings, Dr Anita reasons that the cause may be their desire to take out their frustration on anything which is associated with authority because the disenfranchised in Pakistan no longer see public assets as shared property. “They see this as a chance to get their own back at the seemingly indifferent government.”
There are always elements in a group which instigate or lead the rest of the crowd. A pertinent example is that of Adolf Hitler who used to place German officers dressed as civilians within a crowd attending his speeches. These officers would cheer and clap loudly for Hitler and the crowd would follow their lead making it seem that Hitler’s views were agreed with.
In the bombardment of public opinion which followed these acts that Friday, many people attributed the lack of education to such savage and illogical behaviour. However, if that was true how would one explain the recurring riots that often break out after mega sports events or economic summits in the West where the literacy rates are soaring?
Dr Aijaz explains that when part of a group, no matter how educated, all sense goes out the window when that group is high on aroused emotion. “That immediate emotional state robs them of the training or finesse of the past, of their moral values and sense of responsibility.” She reveals that even a person who is not aggressive by nature can be moved to such violent behaviour.
Some elements of the mob may feel guilty after they have been party to such vicious behaviour. “But again they will justify their actions by saying that it wasn’t ‘just’ them — it was everyone who was doing it!”