Massenhet

Massenhet is a term used in some Scandinavian social sciences to describe a phenomenon in which hostility or hatred is directed collectively toward individuals or groups, often intensified by crowd dynamics and amplified through media and online communication. The term combines mass (massen) with het (hate or intense emotion) and is used to distinguish collective hostility from individual prejudice. While not universally standardized, it is employed to analyze how ordinary people can become part of a larger hostile movement.

Core features include deindividuation within crowds, group polarization, dehumanization of out-groups, and moral disengagement that rationalizes exclusion or violence. It frequently arises in situations of perceived threat, crisis, or competition for resources, and is reinforced by political rhetoric, sensational news coverage, and algorithmic amplification on social platforms.

Process and dynamics involve a triggering event that spurs rumor or scapegoating; online platforms enable rapid dissemination and anonymous participation; identity framing reinforces in-group cohesion while casting opponents as dangerous; as participation increases, normative pressure grows to conform, reducing critical evaluation; over time, actions or calls to action may emerge, potentially escalating to discrimination, harassment, or violence.

Implications of mass hate include influence on public policy, erosion of social trust, and threats to marginalized groups. Countermeasures emphasize media literacy, early moderation of hate speech, transparent dispute resolution, and interventions by civil society and institutions to address underlying grievances and reduce perceived threat.

Research and measurement in this area employ mixed methods, including surveys, media content analysis, discourse analysis, and case studies, with ethical considerations focusing on minimizing harm to targeted groups. Critics note that the term can obscure context-specific differences and that cultural and historical factors shape how such phenomena manifest and are challenged.