North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What characterizes an expressive crowd?

1. Emotionally detached and rational

2. Emotionally involved and potentially agitated

3. Calm and passive in their responses

4. Organized in their demands and goals

The correct answer is: Emotionally involved and potentially agitated

An expressive crowd is characterized by being emotionally involved and potentially agitated. This type of crowd typically comes together to express strong feelings about a particular issue or event, often leading to heightened emotions such as anger, enthusiasm, or excitement. The passion and emotional engagement within an expressive crowd can sometimes escalate tensions, creating a dynamic environment where individuals may react impulsively or vigorously to events unfolding around them. This distinguishes expressive crowds from other types such as organized crowds, which may possess specific goals and plans, or calm crowds that exhibit a detached demeanor. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for law enforcement and public safety officials in managing crowd behavior effectively.