Collective Responses to Collective Traumas: Synchronization and Collective Resilience

Abstract

This chapter examines the responses that occur in societies when their members are collectively impacted by a major emotional event such as an accident, disaster, or terrorist attack. First, we explore the four main collective responses that have been documented, namely (1) seeking information and, in particular, consulting the media; (2) sharing emotions socially—everyone talks and listens to what has happened; (3) gatherings in different forms where a significant part of the population come together; and (4) spontaneous manifestations of generosity and openness to others. We then analyse the reasons why such events develop by highlighting their deleterious impact on shared belief systems and social consensus. The next section documents the collective dynamics and synchronization process that contribute to the implementation of these responses in the population. Finally, we demonstrate that all individuals in the community contribute to this dynamic, even if they do not take part in collective gatherings.