Question

2014
“herd behavior” is a term used to describe the tendency of individuals to think and act as a group. as you read take notes on how herd behavior affects the actions of humans.
background
1 the term “herd behavior” comes from the behavior of animals in herds, particularly when they are in a dangerous situation such as escaping a predator. all of the animals band closely together in a group and, in panic mode, move together as a unit. it is very unusual for a member of the herd to stray from the movement of the unit.
the term also applies to human behavior, and it usually describes large numbers of people acting the same way at the same time. it often has a connotation¹ of irrationality, as peoples actions are driven by emotion rather than by thinking through a situation. human herd behavior can be observed at large - scale demonstrations, riots, strikes, religious gatherings, sports events, and outbreaks of mob violence. when herd behavior sets in, an individual persons judgment and opinion - forming process shut down as he or she automatically follows the groups movement and behavior.
examples of herd behavior
herd behavior in humans is frequently observed at times of danger and panic; for example, a fire in a building often causes herd behavior, with people often suspending their individual reasoning and fleeing together in a pack. people in a crisis that requires escape will attempt to move faster than normal, copy the actions of others, interact physically with each other, and ignore alternative strategies in favor of following the mass escape trend.

1. an idea or quality that a word expresses in addition to its meaning

Explanation:

The question is asking for the definition of a word's connotation, which is a concept in Linguistics. Connotation refers to the associated or secondary meaning of a word in addition to its literal or denotative meaning.

Answer:

Connotation