AS = Less vunerable to mob mentality?

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One thing I've noticed about myself is when I'm in a large group of people who start to do something I'm personally not comfortable with I tend to shy away from them. I remember one time when one of the less well-liked people in band accidentally knocked something over everyone else started mocking him.... I'm the only person who even tried to stop anyone. True I only managed to mutter "that's enough", but I did not join in.

For those of you who don't know mob mentality is a phenomena where a group of people collectively will do things they would not do as individuals. Since this mentality is responsible from some rather nasty events, I could see this as a potential benefit of having AS, since we better retain our individuality in groups?

So I guess my question is, if a group of people you are with start doing something your uncomfortable with, do you avoid joining in? Do you back off? Heck do you voice your distaste for the groups actions?

I would probably laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Whether I would loudly voice my opinion or just walk off would depend on what was happening.

I have never been part of the masses.

I think social behavior is odd (lets party drink,go to clubs,skip class/school work/job) WHY WOULD YOU BOTHER DOING THAT?! (is my opinion) If I had friends I'd want someone who had interests that I have and loved talking about them and might go for the occasional outing (movie or a restaraunt shopping etc.) call me. Stuff like that but IMO I think that is a pipe dream like saying you are going to learn to fly.

I have never been a leader or a follower...just me in the corner wondering what the crap everyone else is thinking.

I usually don't participate in what a large group is doing because it's usually something stupid. I usually prefer to just stand back and watch things unfold. As long as nobody's getting seriously hurt, I just laugh.

I've always had the impression that anyone on the spectrum is less vulnerable to Mob mentality.
The way I feel...
There is an appeal in going with the masses just in that sometimes it's easier. But I would never do something I didn't believe because others did.

I am less than proud to say that in the past I've said things with friends of mine that I wouldn't have otherwise said. However, I'd like to think that since then I've gotten better about standing my ground and not doing things I don't agree with because I'm afraid people will stop being my friends.

With strangers or acquaintances, or people who I don't generally respect beyond the basic amount that I accord to everyone, it's a whole different story. I've stood up in front of a room of people and spoken for an unpopular opinion many times, often in situations where I knew that I was going to be the only one to do it, and though it was sometimes scary, I also knew it had to be done. Likewise, I've never followed along with behaviors or beliefs just because a large number of people have them. If I didn't want to do something because it wasn't comfortable, enjoyable or necessary, I simply wouldn't do it, and let other people think I was a weirdo. Such people wouldn't want to be my friends anyways, so why bother trying to blend in with them?

It depends on the situation, I can be just as vulnerable at times.

Joining the collective is fun too

WE ARE LEGION

Unless I am in a large group of socially akward people (which can tend to happen with me)....i might be prone to withdrawing or shutting down....

I think so. I tend to keep away from large concentrations of people, and if someone's doing something I think is bad, I'll either confront them or go away.

Thanks for your replies. I've noticed it with myself and was wondering if it applies to most other people with AS, which it looks like it does.

Anytime I'm "forced" to go to a party or gathering, I usually follow wires and conduits instinctively until I find the machine rooms or control centers. Usually there are like minded folk there with whom I can have an interest-based conversation and avoid the loud, bright, and sweaty masses churning to pop music elsewhere. When there is no technology, I seek the darkest, quietest places I can find, usually for something interesting like abandoned rooms/wards. The last time I went to a family reunion, I got bored and frustrated because the AC wasn't very cold, so I found the machine closet, broke in, and shorted a few jumpers on the control board of the unit to force it to run without stopping at its best cooling state, all without being noticed

I never knew it was called mob mentality hmmm odd anyways I never have participated I either walk away or I fight against it.

There's a big difference between mob mentality and group mentality. I think maybe "mob" wasn't really what you meant. I've never been in a mob, but I've certainly had no problem with standing aside from the group.