Have you ever had this experience? During the morning rush hour on the subway, you are squeezed by the crowd and cannot move, feeling like you can’t breathe? Or, when shopping at a mall on a holiday, you just want to buy something, but for some reason you feel irritated and want to leave as soon as possible?
Actually, these feelings are not your imagination, but are based on psychology. Scientists have conducted an experiment called the “crowding effect,” which reveals an interesting phenomenon: when we are in a crowded environment, not only do we feel physically uncomfortable, but our psychological state is also affected.
This experiment was first initiated by some psychologists in the 1970s. They wanted to know whether the size of a space affects people’s behavior and emotions.
So, they designed a simple test: they divided a group of people into two groups. One group was placed in a spacious, bright room, while the other group was placed in a very small space where almost everyone had to stand close together.
What happened next? The researchers found that the group in the small space was more likely to become anxious, irritable, and even unable to concentrate, and they were more likely to make mistakes when making decisions.
What does this tell us? Our mental state is actually influenced by the physical space around us. When the space becomes smaller and more crowded, our inner “safety zone” is compressed, naturally causing stress.
Real-life example: The experience of an office worker
There is an office worker named Ai Rui who takes the subway to work every day. One morning, the subway was particularly crowded, and there was no room to even stand. In this environment, she heard two people arguing over a minor issue, and their voices grew louder and louder, almost to the point of physical altercation.
Afterwards, she recalled, “At that moment, I really felt like I was trapped in a closed can, unable to breathe properly, and feeling extremely depressed.”
Does this sound familiar? In fact, it’s not just the subway. In many cities, similar situations often occur on buses, elevators, and in shopping malls. People get angry over trivial matters and argue constantly. In reality, there is a common underlying cause—too many people and too little space.
Why is this the case?
Psychologists explain that when we are in a crowded environment, our brains mistakenly believe that we are in danger. This is an instinctive reaction, just like when we see a dangerous animal and feel tense. When we cannot escape this environment, this tension continues to build up and is eventually released in the form of an emotional outburst.
So, next time you find yourself feeling particularly irritable in a crowd, don’t blame yourself. Maybe it’s just the environment “playing tricks” on you.
In summary, the crowding effect teaches us an important lesson: humans are not machines; our emotions and behavior are influenced by our surroundings. Understanding this can help us better manage our emotions and also foster greater understanding and tolerance toward others.
After all, no one wants to live in a “pressure cooker,” right?