Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 613 Mass Hysteria
Mass hysteria, also known academically as "collective hysteria," "mass psychogenic illness," or "collective psychogenic illness," refers to a physiological or psychological symptom phenomenon that spreads rapidly within a social group.

Its core symptom is that a group of people simultaneously experience similar physical or mental symptoms, but no organic or physiological cause can be found for these symptoms.

Simply put, mass hysteria is a "psychological contagious disease." Its root cause lies in psychological and social factors, not in viruses, toxins, or bacteria.

Historically, there are many famous cases of mass hysteria.

In 14th and 15th century Europe, during periods of extreme social stress, it was common for groups of people to dance, convulse, and scream incessantly in the streets, sometimes for days or even weeks, until they became exhausted, injured, or died. Psychologists have explained this phenomenon as a collective psychogenic release from extreme social suffering, or perhaps related to the belief in the curse of St. Vitus.

In 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts, a group of young girls began experiencing the same, bizarre symptoms: convulsions, screaming, and a feeling of being pricked with needles. They accused some local women of witchcraft and cast spells on them, causing widespread panic and ultimately resulting in the execution of 20 people.

In 1962, in Tanzania, three students at a boarding school on the shores of Lake Victoria suddenly began to laugh uncontrollably. This phenomenon quickly spread to students in the same school and even to other schools in the region, causing nearly 60% of the students to fall ill. Symptoms included uncontrollable laughter, sobbing, rashes, and fainting, ultimately leading to thousands of infections and forcing the closure of 14 schools.

Recalling this knowledge in his mind, Nan Zhuren couldn't help but rub his temples again.

"Wang Lili's description of the feeling... is so similar."

“A group of elderly people gather together to pray and perform rituals, and then spread a certain psychological state to others…”

“Even Wang Lili herself started to faintly show that so-called ‘dragon scale’ feeling.”

Although Wang Lili has been pulled back by Nan Zhuren, if she continues in her current work environment, her wavering beliefs will soon sink into despair and lead to serious consequences.

From this perspective, the fact that Wang Lili's ideological instructor wrote a negative evaluation in her file and planned to transfer her from her post can also be seen as a protective measure.

Thinking of this, Nan Zhuren's gaze became increasingly serious.

The legends and beliefs surrounding the "Dragon King" certainly have deeper and more multifaceted reasons, which will not be discussed here. Nan Zhuren is not a folklore expert and cannot provide a comprehensive analysis of this issue.

However, the impact this "Dragon King" is currently causing has a high risk of triggering mass hysteria.

The current environment is truly a breeding ground for mass hysteria.

First, the people in the disaster-stricken resettlement sites are filled with uncertainty about their future lives. The continuous anxiety caused by property loss and separation from loved ones continues to affect the affected people, creating a huge source of psychological pressure.

Secondly, the information at the resettlement sites is chaotic and may even be rife with rumors, while the true information may be delayed or incomplete. This allows various rumors and even superstitious knowledge to quickly fill the cognitive vacuum of the disaster-stricken people.

Furthermore, both disaster victims and rescuers are in a state of physical and mental exhaustion, which can lead to a decline in cognitive function, weakened rational judgment, and increased susceptibility to suggestion.

At the same time, the dense population and frequent contact within the resettlement sites provide physical conditions for the rapid transmission of various forms of emotions and the imitation of symptoms.

In addition, there are phenomena where certain unexplained diseases are interpreted as "divine punishment," and the appearance of certain "divine beings" or "prophets" may cause or exacerbate [mass hysteria].

"Most importantly, this situation could not only spread among the affected population, but could also infect rescue workers and then spread among them..."

Even if all rescuers have undergone rigorous theoretical training and ideological indoctrination, due to multiple factors such as age, environment, and physiology, there will always be some individuals or even a portion of them who will be affected.

In a sophisticated organization, if the problems of a few individuals go undetected, leading to errors in critical areas, the consequences can be disastrous.

Upon realizing this, Nan Zhuren immediately took out his phone.

On his phone, his finger hesitated for a long time over the name of "Weng Pingting" between "Bai Qinghua" and "Weng Pingting".

However, after thinking about it for a moment, he still opened the chat box for [Bai Qinghua].

After editing the information and briefly explaining the problems and thoughts I encountered during the consultation, I ended the session.

Nan Zhuren breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he began to look through the stack of files again. He didn't have much time left today; he could only choose one more at most.

Soon, Nan Zhuren chose her target. She patted her face, shedding her serious expression and transforming into a gentler demeanor suitable for counseling.

After a brief conversation with the staff outside, it was quickly confirmed that the other party was in a state where they could come over for a talk.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Nan Zhuren's consultation room was knocked on.

"Please come in," Nan Zhuren said loudly, as was his custom.

The man who came in was about thirty years old. He was wearing his usual mud-splattered windbreaker, but his windbreaker was much dirtier than those of Team Leader Li and Wang Lili who had come before, so he must be in a more frontline position.

The other party was able to come immediately after being notified, so he must have been resting. But at this moment, he had heavy bags under his eyes, and his face showed visible fatigue.

Moreover, from the moment they entered the consultation room, the other person kept clenching their teeth and swallowing, as if they were trying their best to endure something.

When faced with Nan Zhuren, the visitor hesitated subconsciously before tentatively asking, "Doctor... can you smell anything?"

Nan Zhuren's expression froze for a moment.

But after seeing Nan Zhuren's reaction, the visitor breathed a sigh of relief and then hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "You didn't smell it, that's great... Doctor, you have to help me... I don't know where to begin..."

"Our team...our team is almost finished. Not because of the flood, but because of...something unseen."

As he was speaking, the visitor suddenly swallowed hard, as if suppressing something that was about to burst forth.

"Doctor...you can't smell it, right? But a lot of people on our team are saying—there's a stench coming from all around!"

Nan Zhuren's expression, which had just softened, turned serious again.

(End of this chapter)