Crowd Behavior Observation for Military Simulation

Abstract

Observations are frequently used to examine naturally occurring behavior. The researchers used this tool to determine what types of behaviors crowds exhibited and the degree of aggression expressed by the crowds. Footage of the 1999 WTO protest in Seattle was examined and coded for 55 behaviors. Of the observed behaviors standing on an elevated platform, chanting, yelling and shouting, and raising flags were the most frequent behaviors. Overall, most of the action was moderately aggressive. Highly aggressive behaviors such as fighting and attacking police officers composed only 1% of the observed behaviors. A similar observation was conducted of an anti-war protest in New York. This observation found comparable results of prevalent nonviolent behaviors. The findings from these studies along with those obtained from interviews of returning military officers will be used to develop a model for simulation of crowd behaviors.