Crowds, Influence, and Losing Yourself

Gustave Le Bon explores how individuals change when they become part of a group. This book dives into the psychology behind crowd behavior, emotion, and influence — ideas that still feel relevant today.

The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind

by Gustave Le Bon

Even though it was written in 1895, this book still feels strangely relevant. Le Bon explores how people think and act in crowds — and how being in a group can make individuals more emotional, less rational, and easily influenced.

What really caught my attention was how crowd behavior can override personal values. People might act totally different alone versus in a group. It reminded me of online trends, protests, and even peer pressure — situations where emotions spread fast and people follow without thinking too deeply.

Le Bon’s writing is old-fashioned, but the core ideas are powerful. It made me wonder: Are crowds always dangerous? Or can they be used for something positive too?

This book blends sociology and psychology in a way that makes you look at group behavior differently — especially in today’s world.

If you’ve read it, I’d love to know: Have you ever felt influenced by a group without realizing it? Let’s unpack that together at our next discussion.