Milling Crowd: An Emerging Phenomenon in Human Crowd Behaviour
Crowd behaviour is an important area of research in human psychology and sociology. In recent years, the emergence of milling crowds has provided an interesting new phenomenon to study. Milling crowds are a type of crowd behaviour that occurs when a group of people come together in one area and move around in a random and chaotic manner, without any clear direction or purpose. This behaviour is often associated with situations such as large festivals, protests, and other public events. This paper will discuss the current research on milling crowd behaviour, its implications for understanding human behaviour, and the potential for further research into this phenomenon.
The term “milling crowd” was first used by researchers in the 1970s to describe large crowds of people who move around in a random and disorderly manner. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted to explore the various characteristics of milling crowds. These studies have shown that milling crowds can form quickly and spontaneously, and often involve large groups of people. Furthermore, milling crowds are not typically associated with any particular purpose or direction, and may move around in different directions for no apparent reason.
In addition to the characteristics of milling crowds, researchers have also studied the various factors that influence milling crowd behaviour. Studies have shown that milling crowds tend to form when people are feeling bored or anxious, and when there is an absence of predetermined goals or purposes. Furthermore, milling crowds are often associated with situations where people are feeling overwhelmed, such as large festivals and protests.
The study of milling crowds has important implications for understanding human behaviour. Milling crowds provide an interesting example of how people can come together in large numbers and yet remain largely uncoordinated. This behaviour can help us better understand how people respond to crowds, and can provide insight into the dynamics of large group events. Furthermore, the study of milling crowds can help us better understand how crowds can be managed and directed in different contexts.
Finally, there is potential for further research into milling crowd behaviour. For example, there is a need to better understand the various psychological and social factors that influence milling crowd behaviour. Additionally, studies can be conducted to investigate the impact of different environmental and social contexts on milling crowd behaviour.
In conclusion, milling crowds are an emerging phenomenon in human crowd behaviour, and their study has important implications for understanding human behaviour. Further research into this phenomenon will help to better understand the psychological and social factors that influence milling crowd behaviour, as well as the potential for managing and directing milling crowds in different contexts.
References
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Nadiri, H., & Zarei, M. (2012). A review of crowd milling models. Safety Science, 50(7), 1651-1658.