In social psychology, hysterical contagion occurs when people in a group show signs of a physical problem or illness that in reality arise from psychological and social forces rather than any physical cause. It is considered a strong form of social contagion, and its symptoms can resemble those associated with clinical hysteria. In 1977 Frieda L. Gehlen proposed a revised theory of hysterical contagion, arguing that what actually spreads is the belief that displaying certain characteristics will entitle a person to the secondary benefits of being treated as sick, a decision that may occur unconsciously and that is regarded as more consistent with the existing understanding of contagion and collective behavior.
Facts
Classification
Type of Phenomenon Type of PhenomenonSocial or Interpersonal Phenomenon 1 Core ClaimPeople in a group show signs of a physical problem or illness when in reality there are psychological and social forces at work. 1 Connections
In Branch
Source Wikipedia: Hysterical contagion
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1. Wikipedia: Hysterical contagion
Lead paragraph, first sentence
In social psychology, hysterical contagion occurs when people in a group show signs of a physical problem or illness, when in reality there are psychological and social forces at work.
lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
In social psychology, hysterical contagion occurs when people in a group show signs of a physical problem or illness, when in reality there are psychological and social forces at work.
lead section, phenomenon-kind classification, additional value cognitive
Gehlen offered a revised theory of hysterical contagion that argues that what is actually contagious is the belief that showing certain characteristics will "entitle one to the secondary benefits of the sick role.
In Branch: Social Psychology, Lead
In social psychology, hysterical contagion occurs when people in a group show signs of a physical problem or illness, when in reality there are psychological and social forces at work.
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