Mental illness was viewed quite differently in the late 1400s to the late 1600s. For example, a common belief perpetuated by some religious organizations was that some people made pacts with the devil and committed horrible acts, such as eating babies. By the 18th century, people who were considered "unusual or odd" were placed in , which were the first institutions created for the specific person of housing people with psychological disorders.

Not all members of the radio audience of orson welles' war of the worlds broadcast panicked immediately. indeed, some didn't panic until they looked out of the window and saw empty streets; others didn't panic until they saw streets full of traffic. it was after checking out the situation that these citizens decided that the martians had indeed invaded earth. this example illustrates that contagion can result when people look to others for the interpretation of ambiguous situations . can result when cultural norms reinforce people's most likely responses. occurs primarily because humans are by nature irrational creatures. is especially likely when people are motivated to make independent decisions.