a model that explains collective behavior as a result of the transfer of emotions between members of a group (similar to contagion). The theory states that people in a crowd or group lose their sense of individual responsibility and self-control, becoming more receptive to emotions and actions that spread quickly and consistently among others. Emotional contagion transforms individual behavior into homogeneous, often emotional, impulsive, and irrational group behavior. This is because close interaction between people in a crowd enhances the ability of emotions and ideas to spread quickly, leading to consistent, but sometimes irrational, collective action. From a sociological and psychological point of view, contagion theory shows how a group can dominate people’s behavior, with collective influence suppressing individual desires or rational considerations. Emotional contagion explains such phenomena as mass panic, violent protests, chaos or strong emotional outbursts at mass events. The theory also suggests that the crowd acts as a means of transmitting emotions and thoughts, so it becomes difficult for people to resist collective influence once they integrate into the crowd.