There is an interesting situation that I have experienced these days but I can't exactly define it. I don't know if this phenomenon is even categorized in psychology or sociology, but I think it has connections to both. Anyway, I will try to explain in my own words, so maybe someone here who reads and is a professional in one of these fields can define it.
This situation reminded me of a sociological phenomenon called collective behaviour. Once again, I just try to explain in my words so forgive my ignorance if I don't state something well here or don't use the right terminology. But let's see how can I explain it.
You probably noticed that there are cases when something happens and a group of people act in the same way, spontaneously, without being told or forced by laws on how to behave. Like a crowd, guided by intuition to do the same as others. Well, that is one of the forms of collective behaviour.
One of the examples is a group of fans in a sports stadium, cheering or singing loudly at the same time. Or doing the wave. Likewise, in demonstrations there is always a group of hooligans who will break the windows of cars and shop windows. What motivates them to do it? A sense of belonging to a group? An act of rebellion or a desire to show power?
I think that as another example we can consider the situation when someone on the street points his/her finger at something (it can be even an imaginary thing), and then everyone looks in that direction. It is actually funny, but that is how it works. Try it out once when you find yourself at a busy square or street.
Another one - you go to a party where everyone is dancing and have a good time. Would you be able to stand still and motionless or you will get the same vibe and start dancing too? At a concert, where everyone would sing a song aloud, accompanying the singer - I bet you would at least hum the tune if everyone around you is doing the same.
So, what happened to me is that I couldn't speak for the past two days. I was aphonic. Still, I had to go to work and it would be all fine if my work would not involve verbal communication. Especially with children. As a teacher, I have to guide them, explain the subject, request tasks. Additinally, I always chitchat with them a bit, ask about their day, or the weekend etc. We start the lesson (if a group lesson then there are 3 or 4 students) in a friendly way, then we work, play the piano, correct the mistakes, improve what has to be improved and do different activities that include music theory. Now imagine all of that without being able to talk. 😂
That day (Wednesday) I greeted my first lesson with a whisper and from that moment the students talked to me and among themselves in the same way. They spoke in whispers too, although I didn't ask them to speak like that. No one talked aloud. Complete silence, just whispers when they had to say something.
It made me feel good, as all we heard were just the piano pieces. I whispered my suggestions on what to improve, they whispered back and everyone stayed calm about the way the lesson was held. The next lesson went in a very similar way as well as all the lessons on the next day. I even told them that they could talk as always but after a few words spoken in a normal tone, they returned to silence or whispering.
Cool, I am not complaining about this. Moreover, I am thinking about speaking in this way even when I can already talk in a usual tone haha. Just kidding for this last sentence, but what does this situation show us?
Are my students just very well-behaved children who felt for me and spoke in the same way to show solidarity with me?
Was it just the common sense that made them behave (in this case speak) in the same way as me?
Was it an example of collective behaviour?
Maybe none of the aforementioned thoughts is right (or there is truth is all of them?), but I still see here a pattern. Usually, if one is nervous and speak loudly or scream the people around that person will probably get the same vibe and behave according to that energy. And the opposite - the interlocutor of a calm person who speaks softly will answer him/her in the same way. This is not the rule, however it happens often.
Have any of these or similar situations happened to you?
