PsychologySocial Influence and Group Processes

Which collection of people is marked by homogeneity of thought and be…

Which collection of people is marked by homogeneity of thought and behaviour, and by impulsive actions?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (2) → Mob

Option	Reason
Option (1): Audience. Incorrect.	An audience is a collection of people assembled for a special purpose, such as watching a match or a movie. Audiences are generally passive.
Option (2): Mob. Correct.	In a mob there is a definite sense of purpose and polarised attention. The actions of persons run in a common direction, so thought and behaviour become uniform and impulsive.
Option (3): Team. Incorrect.	A team is a special kind of group whose members have complementary skills and a common goal. Members are mutually accountable, and their coordinated efforts bring positive synergy.
Option (4): Crowd. Incorrect.	A crowd is a collection of people present at a place by chance, such as at a road accident. It has neither structure nor belongingness, and behaviour in it is irrational.

NCERT (2026-27): “Introduction …
An audience is also a collection of people who have assembled for a special purpose, may be to watch a cricket match or a movie. Audiences are generally passive but sometimes they go into a frenzy and become mobs. In mobs, there is a definite sense of purpose. There is polarisation in attention, and actions of persons are in a common direction. Mob behaviour is characterised by homogeneity of thought and behaviour as well as impulsivity.”