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.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

alpha biofeedback

see alpha-wave training.