mass hysteria

noun

, Psychology.

1. a condition affecting a group of persons, characterized by excitement or anxiety, irrational behavior or beliefs, or inexplicable symptoms of illness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mass hysteria¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The concept of mass hysteria is rather chilling to consider.

From The Daily Beast

Investigators have also found that in cases of mass hysteria, one child is often an “index case” that triggers waves of anxiety.

From The Daily Beast

Even the search parties often get themselves balled up and mill around in circles, perfect examples of mass hysteria.

From Project Gutenberg

He stated that if this was so, subsequent sightings might be the result of a mass hysteria.

From Project Gutenberg

They are not to be stampeded by fiery rhetoric or mass hysteria.

From Project Gutenberg

I do believe in mass pathology: mass hysteria, mass personality disorders, mass psychoses.

From Project Gutenberg

The mass hysteria of the women was caused by the excitement.

From Project Gutenberg