mentality of groups

In a large enough group, you no longer have an individual identity. You are simply "one of the group." This is known as "mob mentality." If you are in a large enough group you are less likely to be individually held responsible for your actions, so the threat of consequences decreases and your likelihood of doing something aggressive or stupid increases. There is power and safety in groups that makes a person feel invincible. Also, people are strongly influenced by peer pressure.

it is not only on young people, but it is true to all humans. "Their is power in number" When you are in a group, it gives you a feeling of security and confidence. It gives you the feeling that you are not alone. I think it is human nature that is at work.

I think this is what we called self assurance. One can get boosted when he knows he's in a company or group that will protect him. This is one of human defenses and needs. We need to belong, to have group for self esteem and assurance. This is one of human's need that must be met, lack of this will have psychological effect on one's personality. But this is also being abuse, but isn't it all things are bound to be abused?

I think it has something to do with an ego factor, perhaps they act this way simply because this is how they feel they want to portray themselves. Being a college student myself I see a lot of people who while in a group are more attention demanding, but when they are alone they are way different.

Groups usually center around two or more like minded people. This like mindedness can be reflected from abusive behaviors or from bullying type behaviors instilling fear or it could be reflected from perceived intellectual superiority or emotional stability. Groups spiral outward almost like the proverbial pebble dropped into a pool...the rings becoming less and less concentrated. Those near the center of the group radiate the emotional status of the center outward and like the rings from the pebble that radiating emotional status gets weaker and weaker farther and farther out. The aggressiveness comes from a perceived threat against the group, be that threat additions to the group or a shift in the center moving the comfort level of the members of the group. Acceptance is important to humans, being a member of a group is a strong form of acceptance, so mirroring the attitudes and goals of the group is an important part of maintaining that acceptance. If one were to observe their own behaviors when with a group of friends, one would find that they would also be experiencing more tendency to agree with the group rather than assert their own views. Acceptance is so very important to us that we are willing to forgo our individuality to an extent and become part of a group.