behavioral contagion

the rapid copying of the activities of one or a few people by others in the vicinity, often with little analysis of the situation. For example, audience members who all applaud or rise to a standing ovation after an initial person does, regardless of whether they actually enjoyed the performance, are demonstrating behavioral contagion. Also called behavior contagion. See also emotional contagion; mass contagion; social contagion.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

adolescent sex changes

the physical and physiological changes that start at puberty. They include accelerated development of sex organs, the appearance of secondary sex characteristics, and the first occurrence of seminal ejaculation in boys and menstruation in girls.