Have you ever watched a nature documentary showcasing a massive herd of wildebeest, bounding gracefully across the plains? They seem to move as one entity—a synchronous dance of instinct and survival. But what happens when a lion is spotted? The calm, rhythmic pace erupts into a chaotic stampede, with anxiety spreading through the herd like wildfire (1).
We might consider ourselves far removed from the world of wildebeest, but when it comes to anxiety and emotional contagion, there’s more in common than meets the eye. Let’s explore the fascinating realm of shared emotions, mirror neurons, and the collective unconscious that binds us together.
Just like wildebeest, humans experience emotional contagion—the process by which emotions are transferred between individuals. Anxiety, in particular, can ripple through social groups, creating a shared emotional landscape (2). When we see someone exhibiting anxious behaviors or expressions, our own anxiety levels can rise, perpetuating a cycle of collective unease.
This emotional mirroring can be partly attributed to specialized brain cells known as mirror neurons. First discovered in the early 1990s, mirror neurons fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing that action (3). In other words, these remarkable cells help us understand and empathize with others’ experiences. But mirror neurons aren’t just for actions; they also play a crucial role in deciphering emotions, allowing us to resonate with the feelings of those around us (4).
As social beings, humans are hardwired for emotional contagion. It’s a survival mechanism that’s been advantageous throughout our evolutionary history (5). If one individual senses danger, their heightened anxiety can spread throughout the group, ensuring everyone is prepared to respond to the potential threat. However, this same system can also make us vulnerable to catching others’ negative emotions, including anxiety (6).
Delving deeper, we encounter the concept of the collective unconscious—a term coined by renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung. Jung proposed that our shared human experiences create an interconnected web of archetypes and memories, which contribute to our understanding of the world (7). The collective unconscious may also play a part in the transmission of emotions, particularly those that tap into universal human experiences, such as fear and anxiety (8).
In the case of the wildebeest, their collective anxiety serves as a powerful survival tool (9). However, for us humans, chronic anxiety can take a significant toll on our mental and physical health (10). So, how do we maintain the benefits of our interconnected emotional systems while mitigating the downsides?
First, self-awareness is key. Recognising when we’re picking up on others’ anxiety can help us create healthier boundaries and manage our own emotional responses more effectively (10). Second, seeking balance in our social interactions—by connecting with positive, supportive individuals—can counteract some of the negative effects of emotional contagion (12).
References
1.National Geographic. “Herd Behavior in Wildebeests.” Accessed online.
2.Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. (1993). Emotional Contagion. Current Directions in Psychological Science.
3.Rizzolatti, G., & Sinigaglia, C. (2007). Mirrors in the Brain: How Our Minds Share Actions, Emotions, and Experience. Oxford University Press.
4.Iacoboni, M. (2009). Mirroring People: The New Science of How We Connect with Others. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
5.Barrett, L. F., & Bliss-Moreau, E. (2009). “Affective Neuroscience: Evidence for the Importance of Valence.” Current Opinion in Neurobiology.
6.Gross, J. J., & Thompson, R. A. (2007). “Emotion Regulation: Conceptual Foundations.” In Handbook of Emotion Regulation. Guilford Press.
7.Jung, C. G. (1969). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press.
8.Solomon, R. C. (2007). True to Our Feelings: What Our Emotions Are Really Telling Us. Oxford University Press.
9.National Geographic. “Behavioral Ecology of Wildebeest.”
10.Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Henry Holt and Company.
11.Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion.
12.Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.