“Hysteria (noun) – exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people. Otherwise known as a psychological disorder whose symptoms include the conversion of psychological stress into selective amnesia, superficial volatile emotions, and overly dramatic or attention-seeking behavior. The term has a controversial history as it was once considered a disease specific to women. (Oxford Dictionary). Over the years, basic human nature itself has often been seen as the root of hysteria. The greatest examples of the effects of hysteria caused by human nature are the Salem witch trials of 1692. This historical period is depicted in The Crucible, Arthur Miller's allegorical play about the events in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692 . Human nature makes hysteria possible through group dynamics. and the social hierarchy. Hysteria is the main motive for the witch trials and the fall of Salem in The Crucible. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay To begin with, human nature is the natural behavior and characteristics that humans tend to have, such as the way people act, think, or feel emotionally. Group dynamics play a key role in human nature, and therefore in hysteria. Similar to the phrase "misery loves company," people often feel comforted if they know that more people feel or behave emotionally the same way they do, whether those emotions are genuine or superficial. Hysteria can be represented in the same way. Another example of group dynamics inherent to human nature commonly occurs in my school, such as when a student begins to verbally and physically express stress and worry during an exam. Eventually, the anxiety begins to spread among the other students, and soon several students begin to panic once they realize everyone is panicking. Usually this makes them feel less alone and not only able to blame themselves if everyone else feels unprepared. So, as humans, if a person continues to suspect someone of being a witch, it is possible that more people will join us in avoiding the feeling of loneliness and isolation in thought. This is how mass hysteria forms within a community. As shown in The Crucible, the town started to believe the group of girls because people start to believe if several townspeople believe the same thing. “There is a misty plot afoot so subtle that we would be criminals to cling to old respects and old friendships. I have seen too much frightening evidence in court: the Devil lives in Salem, and we dare not hesitate to follow him wherever the accusing finger points! (Reverend Hale, Act 2, p. 68) Reverend Hale describes how the mentalities of the people of Salem have been virtually brainwashed by the spreading hysteria. Therefore, mass groups believing the same thing allow human nature to cause hysteria among communities. Additionally, human nature is influenced by social hierarchy and reputation within a civilization's group. “The strength and power of group dynamics tends to take over, and people get carried away by the symptoms of the crowd. The social hierarchy of the group can also play a role in the spread of symptoms. If the “popular” girls fade away first, the less popular ones will follow.