THE SECRET SCIENCE THAT RULES CROWDS

“Crowds can be lethal – but also surprisingly rational. As scientists learn more about how groups of people behave, they’re figuring out how to prevent deadly incidents in the future”

By: Christine Ro

Published: BBC, 21 March 2018, http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180312-the-secret-science-that-rules-crowds

Level of Difficulty:**

LISTEN AND TAKE NOTES

·         The power of the crowd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fVPQ6X4Fw8

QUESTIONS

1.       What misconception does the writer draw attention to at the beginning of the text? There are two answers; find both

2.       The way we perceive crowds has been transformed as we now know that….

3.       We understand from the text that the collective identity that emerged during the 7/7 London bombings was one of ….

4.       Dividing crowds on the basis of gender or ethnicity is a mistake because these identities are no longer as powerful as ………………..

5.       Watch: Ten rules for moshing safely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dFcJT-9H9c. Now look at an example:  Rock Am Ring: Huge Mosh Pit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgBseiTlDTE&index=18&list=RDCKeytOj7Epw We understand from the text mosh pit behavior is not what it seems because…

6.       Watch: The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AWGVYpAaQc The police were at least partially responsible for the disaster because…

7.       The media is to blame for overstating the dangers of crowds since ….

8.       Considering all that has been said so far, why do we still need plans to deal with crowds? Because…

9.       Check out Sharma’s website: https://www.burohappold.com/what-we-do/specialisms/smart-space/ From what you have seen and what you have read, we understand that ………………….can help deal with potential problems with crowds.

10.   What conclusion can be drawn from the example of one Newcastle school?

11.   Choosing to overlook …………………can prevent crowd simulation software from being more helpful.

12.   We understand from Templeton’s remarks that the nature of a crowd can vary from place to place / change during the course of an event/ can change from time to time/ is determined at the outset.

WRITING TASK

Use all the information that you have learnt to discuss how crowds should be handled and why.

THE SECRET SCIENCE THAT RULES CROWDS; KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES

Managing crowds requires a good understanding of crowd psychology and this text covers this topic at a relatively simple level. It is always a joy to find a text covering a sophisticated issue in language intermediate students can follow. Most people have had experience of crowds and should be able share their experiences. As always, the writing task ties everything together.

1.       That deadly crowd crushes are unavoidable / Crowds are  mindless masses

2.       Crowds are as psychologically specific as individuals

3.       Cooperation between members of the crowd (they comforted each other, shared water, and provided basic first aid)

4.       Crowd identity

5.       It is rule bound

6.       They were so preoccupied with possible hooliganism that their actions like penning fans into tight packs made things worse

7.       It is more dramatic for storytelling purposes

8.       If people are primed to believe that others will panic in a crowd, they are more likely to panic themselves

9.       Sharma’s Crowd simulation software package

10.   (Even in places with limited resources) Asking the right questions could help avoid crowd crushes

11.   The way members of a crowd interact with each other

12.   Can change during the course of an event