Mass Hysteria: The sociopsychological phenomenon of the manifestation of the same hysterical symptoms by more than one person. It may begin when a group witnesses an individual becoming hysterical during a dramatic or extremely stressful event.

This crazy little thing called hysteria has many monikers to go by. Collective behaviors, crowd psychology, folie a deux, or even herd behavior. Episodes typically affect small, tightly knit groups in enclosed settings. No matter what you want to call it it can and will happen to a paranormal group if certain guidelines aren’t followed.

Imagine that you are at an investigation and an investigator swears he/she heard voices in the area he/she was investigating. They call over another investigator and tell them what had happen. Before you know it the whole group is running around in mass hysteria. Sound familiar? This has been happening to people as long as we could communicate to one another.

Some examples of this phenomenon are the Salem Witch Trials, that great radio play ‘War of the Worlds’, and last but certainly not least is that old standby...the chupacabra.

One great way to avoid hysteria is thinking. Sit down and think things through before you say something. If you have to tell someone tell your lead investigator. Let him/her get all the pertinent info from you while it is still fresh. Have them go with you to the area and have them run some tests to see if they get the same conclusion. Never talk to anyone outside of you lead investigator until after the investigation is complete, thus minimizing the chance of hysteria. We so badly want to believe that we can sometimes lose our objectivity and our scientific thinking.

In closing, as a group you should always adhere to the plan put forth at meetings prior to the investigation. Have a point man to field all concerns during an investigation. Last but not least have fun, get to know all your fellow investigators and rely on them.