Definition of the word herd instinct

The term "herd instinct" is rooted in animal behavior and was coined by British economist John Maynard Keynes in the 1930s. It refers to the tendency of individuals, particularly in crowds or groups, to follow the behavior and decisions of others without critical thinking or independent analysis. The concept emerged from the observation that some animals, such as herds of cattle or flocks of birds, often move in unison, seemingly without any explicit leadership or communication structure. This phenomenon led early behavioral scientists to posit that there must be an innate tendency in these animals to conform to the collective behavior of their group. Keynes applied this idea to human behavior, specifically in the context of financial markets. He suggested that financial decisions made by individual investors could often be attributed to herd-like mentality, where people simply follow the trend of the market rather than making informed judgments based on their own analysis. The term "herd instinct" has since become a popular cultural reference, often associated with mob mentality and the idea that group conformity can overwhelm individual judgement and decision-making.