The psychology behind the mob rules party
It's that time of year again — new textbooks, new classes, new fiascos at Fleming.
Well, maybe.
While it's not determined just yet whether the upcoming school year will bring about fires, fines and general fracas — it's not a bad thing to be prepared.
This time around, it helps to look at why these parties escalate to the level they do by getting insight into the psychology behind the partying.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to why a party gets ridiculous, but some information from psychologists helps shed light on a few.
We all know when an individual is intoxicated, their capacity for making sane decisions flies out the window — and there are numerous Facebook photos out there to prove this fact.
This is because of “alcohol myopia,” said James Olson, professor of psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Coming from the word “myopic” meaning short-sighted, “alcohol myopia” is a state when people become intoxicated and “less able to process cues from their environment,” explained Olson. In such a situation, people will respond to those cues that are stronger.
A common example is when you're at a party, and someone's drunkenly bumping or shoving you — the strongest cue you register is aggression. So naturally you might respond with a similar reaction. This is behind the multiple fights you see between people when everyone's sauced.
Police officers aim to approach parties calmly, but if they respond aggressively — naturally they're going to get it back from the students, who by that point, aren't necessarily concerned about the badge — it's a vicious circle.
Donald Gorassini, a professor of psychology at King's College, agrees.
“You don't really think about social laws and standards when drinking,” he said.
Particularly, if you're at a Fleming party — those types of environmental cues are going to be even stronger because of the atmosphere of the neighbourhood.
“If there's a history to an area — it affects people's expectations,” said Olson. People come to Fleming expecting craziness, even if they have to contribute to it.
Alcohol myopia is also behind those “I-can't-believe-I-did-that” risky sex decisions. When you're wasted, arousal and attraction are very potent cues. A lot of people tend to think they turn into sex kittens after a few wobbly pops and it can lead to a lot of awkward mornings, and potentially more serious situations.
It can be part of that whole “mob mentality” idea too. You know how everyone gets riled up because one macho dude is breaking and throwing things? Those are the prominent cues of that environment that make you think, “It's okay to throw a chair,” said Olson.
This was exactly what happened to one student who threw a beer bottle at a police officer and who said she did it because the girl next to her was doing it, said Emily Marcoccia, director of marketing and communications at the college, who had spoken to some students who got in trouble last year.
It's the combination of alcohol, the pressures of wanting to fit in as a new student and being away from home that can usually lead to poor choices and perhaps a little trip downtown in the paddywagon — not necessarily how you want to be remembered by your new friends.
Knowing how your brain and the brains of your friends are going to react before you all get stupid might not help you alleviate all the problems at the party, but at least you'll be able to separate yourself and get out of there.
Well, maybe.
While it's not determined just yet whether the upcoming school year will bring about fires, fines and general fracas — it's not a bad thing to be prepared.
This time around, it helps to look at why these parties escalate to the level they do by getting insight into the psychology behind the partying.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to why a party gets ridiculous, but some information from psychologists helps shed light on a few.
We all know when an individual is intoxicated, their capacity for making sane decisions flies out the window — and there are numerous Facebook photos out there to prove this fact.
This is because of “alcohol myopia,” said James Olson, professor of psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Coming from the word “myopic” meaning short-sighted, “alcohol myopia” is a state when people become intoxicated and “less able to process cues from their environment,” explained Olson. In such a situation, people will respond to those cues that are stronger.
A common example is when you're at a party, and someone's drunkenly bumping or shoving you — the strongest cue you register is aggression. So naturally you might respond with a similar reaction. This is behind the multiple fights you see between people when everyone's sauced.
Police officers aim to approach parties calmly, but if they respond aggressively — naturally they're going to get it back from the students, who by that point, aren't necessarily concerned about the badge — it's a vicious circle.
Donald Gorassini, a professor of psychology at King's College, agrees.
“You don't really think about social laws and standards when drinking,” he said.
Particularly, if you're at a Fleming party — those types of environmental cues are going to be even stronger because of the atmosphere of the neighbourhood.
“If there's a history to an area — it affects people's expectations,” said Olson. People come to Fleming expecting craziness, even if they have to contribute to it.
Alcohol myopia is also behind those “I-can't-believe-I-did-that” risky sex decisions. When you're wasted, arousal and attraction are very potent cues. A lot of people tend to think they turn into sex kittens after a few wobbly pops and it can lead to a lot of awkward mornings, and potentially more serious situations.
It can be part of that whole “mob mentality” idea too. You know how everyone gets riled up because one macho dude is breaking and throwing things? Those are the prominent cues of that environment that make you think, “It's okay to throw a chair,” said Olson.
This was exactly what happened to one student who threw a beer bottle at a police officer and who said she did it because the girl next to her was doing it, said Emily Marcoccia, director of marketing and communications at the college, who had spoken to some students who got in trouble last year.
It's the combination of alcohol, the pressures of wanting to fit in as a new student and being away from home that can usually lead to poor choices and perhaps a little trip downtown in the paddywagon — not necessarily how you want to be remembered by your new friends.
Knowing how your brain and the brains of your friends are going to react before you all get stupid might not help you alleviate all the problems at the party, but at least you'll be able to separate yourself and get out of there.
