Toward a Revised Theory of Hysterical Contagion

Rather than considering hysterical contagion episodes as incidents of a negative reaction to increased levels of stress--as has been the recent approach in works by Kerckhoff, Back, Smelser, and Klapp--it is argued that at least for many participants they are a type of craze. What is "contagiou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health and social behavior 1977-03, Vol.18 (1), p.27-35
Main Author: Gehlen, Frieda L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Contagion
Diseases
Epidemics
Fads
Group pressure
Hysteria/Hysterical
Panic
Psychological stress
Revisionism/Revisionist/ Revisionists
Social behavior
Symptoms
Theory/Theories/Theorem/ Theorizing
Wish fulfillment
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Summary:Rather than considering hysterical contagion episodes as incidents of a negative reaction to increased levels of stress--as has been the recent approach in works by Kerckhoff, Back, Smelser, and Klapp--it is argued that at least for many participants they are a type of craze. What is "contagious" is the understanding that exhibiting certain behaviors will entitle one to the secondary gains of the sick role. However, the decision to adopt the behavior is not necessarily conscious. Such an approach is more consistent with existing understandings of the diffusion or contagion process, the sick role, and with theoretical approaches to collective behavior.
ISSN:0022-1465
DOI:10.2307/2955393