A Glance Into Mass Hysteria

Written By Khushi Choudhary
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Celena Shen (ISB G11)

Celena Shen, brings us an article delving into one of her favorite parts of psychology; strange psychological phenomenons.

In her first article, “A Glance in Mass Hysteria,” Celena delves into the interesting phenomenon of mass hysteria and different witnesses to hysteric events.

(From Birming Hammail)

(From Birming Hammail)

It was a Sunday morning, 1980, July 13. The citizens of Kirkby in Ashfield were gathered for an annual celebration but were instead met with horror as they watched children in the marching band that had just been parading down the street drop like flies. Within minutes, the street had transformed from a festive event to a battlefield; an invisible force has swept across the showground infecting infants, children, and adults. This would be later known as the Hollinwell Showground incident, an event often correlated to a phenomenon known as mass hysteria.


1. Scientific Explanation-

Mass hysteria is often explained in sociology and psychology as a phenomenon that transmits collective illusions of threats, whether real or imaginary, through a population. While appearing frequently across history, there has not yet been a scientific explanation for the severe cases. The conclusion that most have reached is that mass hysteria is caused by rumors and fear that spread through a community. Such fear would then create anxiety or even cause one to hallucinate. In the Hollinwell Showground case, citizens “complained of headaches, nausea, dizziness, pain, and soreness.” However, many bizarre symptoms have also revealed themselves through history.

2. Dancing Plague-

(From Medium.com)

(From Medium.com)

The Red Shoes, a fairytale by the well-known author Hans Christian Anderson, once narrated the story of a young girl who was condemned to dance forever. This chilling story was brought to life in 1518 in Strasbourg, Alsace. It was said that a woman known as Mrs. Troffea started to dance on the streets one day with no particular reason. Others walked by and even cheered her on, expecting her to stop soon; but for days, she danced alone on the streets without stopping once to rest. By the eighth day, she was joined by 34 others. By the end of the month? As many as 400 people were dancing along Mrs. Troffea. This ‘dancing plague’ didn’t stop; while sources vary, it was said that at its peak, 15 people dropped dead each day from heart attacks, strokes, or plain exhaustion. Nobles of Strasbourg deduced that such mania was nothing more than a “natural disease” that resulted from “hot blood”. In fact, a stage was even constructed and musicians were hired in hopes that once the citizens danced away the mania, they would continue on with their daily lives. Contrary to their intentions, this dance floor only inspired more to join. After countless deaths, this plague was suddenly cured and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Today, experts regard this strange incident as the “dancing plague” and blamed mass hysteria rather than “natural disease”.

“Mass hysteria is often explained in sociology and psychology as a phenomenon that transmits collective illusions of threats, whether real or imaginary, through a population.”

3. Salem Witch Trials-

(From Smithsonian Magazine)

(From Smithsonian Magazine)

One of the most well-known mass hysterias is the Salem Witch trials. In 1692, a few girls, claimed by others to have been possessed by the devil, brought a whole year of mass hysteria. During the few years before the trials, the Salem village had faced a great deal of fear: the after-effects of the British war, a smallpox epidemic, and rivalries with nearby tribes and towns. Villagers’ suspicion towards each other arose from the constant paranoia caused by these fears. During January of 1692, 9-year-old Elizabeth Betty Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams were seen jolting violently and sending piercing screams down the streets. A visit to the local doctor William Griggs diagnosed the two girls with bewitchment. The diagnosis didn’t stop there; the symptoms soon spread across the village, infecting other young girls.


”So far, scientists have concluded that fear and anxiety may take part in this chilling phenomenon…”


In late February, three women were arrested from the girls’ accusations for being the ones who had bewitched them. Tituba, a Parris’ Caribbean slave; Sarah Good, a homeless beggar; and Sarah Osborn, a poor elderly, were the first among more than twenty others accused and innocent women to be brought in court. Many of these women were powerless in status and in desperation for lighter punishments, confessed to their crimes and even exposed other ‘witches’. However, contrary to popular beliefs, most of the women were not burned to death but hung in public executions. As mass hysteria seized the Salem village, the villagers began to live in chaos and paranoia, with wavering trust between friends and growing suspicion of neighbors. It wasn’t until early 1693 did the Salem Witch Trials come to an end. By then, mass hysteria has claimed at least 19 innocent lives.

Though mass hysteria still occurs today, they are unlikely to be as devastating in results. So far, scientists have concluded that fear and anxiety may take part in this chilling phenomenon; however, true causes of mass hysteria are still a mystery.

Khushi Choudhary
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