‘It should be observed that the mind rarely leaves uncriticized the assumptions which are forced on it by herd suggestion, the tendency being for it to find more or less elaborately rationalized justifications of them.’
Instincts of the Herd in Peace and War is Wilfred Trotter’s groundbreaking and highly influential work on group psychology and herd mentality. Through his study of psychology, sociology, and history, Trotter provided detailed analysis of how conformity, fear, and tribal loyalty dominate both peacetime norms and wartime fervor, fueling everything from cultural tradition to nationalist passion. His analysis was eerily prescient and foreshadowed the polarization and groupthink that modern society currently struggles with. A timeless classic, this book remains essential reading for understanding the power of herd instinct over individual reason and how this dynamic can unite civilisations but also lead them to war.
Wilfred Trotter was a British surgeon and sociologist. He was well known for his study in social psychology, which popularized the phrase “herd instinct”.