Related to mass hysteria?

Question

Can mass hysteria be associated with the term "monkey see, monkey do"? I think it could because mass hysteria is triggered when one person says or does something, and then everyone sort of follows the lead. Does that make a good relation/association or not?

Answer 1

I would say that it is a little related...

Hysteria is a VERY strong emotion, and it is very easy for one hysterical person to REALLY bother others - almost to the point of hysteria.  All we need is another person or two to tip their balance and become hysterical and then an avalanche can occur - within the mass of people.

I would say that it is less conscious than "monkey see, monkey do," but they are at least related.

You'd be safe using the Ms-Md as an analogy as long as you describe it.

Answer 2

You can see this phenomena in most churches every week.

Especially in pentecostal churches where the congregation is almost hypnotized into swaying about, shouting, chanting, clapping and speaking in unheard of languages.

Answer 3

Probably but I think it's more psychosomatic. For example  If there is an out break of say Legionaries disease in a city and GPs receive a 70% greater intake of patients who all believe they have the disease.  I'm not sure that fits in with monkey see Monkey do.

When I think of the above phrase I think of fads like Pokemon or people playing tennis for the 2 weeks after wimbledon but I suppose it could be applied to 'bad' things as well.  I'm not so sure though.

Answer 4

Monkey see, monkey do is more related to copying or mimicking a behavioral or learning process with no known reason.  

With mass hysteria people also begin to experience similar psychological/physical symptoms of another individual.

In my opinion, monkey see, monkey do is not closely enough related to mass hysteria.  Perhaps you could use one of the following.....mass hysteria spreads like wildfire...or like a hurricane, travels and becomes more devastating as it picks up speed.....mass hysteria invading a population like a rampant virus....or spreads like a chain reaction.

Who knows, hopefully that helped a bit.