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

What defines a flash mob?

1. A group of friends who meet in public

2. A crowd that assembles spontaneously for a short duration

3. An organized protest with a set agenda

4. A crowd that forms out of fear of a threat

The correct answer is: A crowd that assembles spontaneously for a short duration

A flash mob is characterized by a crowd that assembles spontaneously for a short duration, often performing a specific action or dance in a public place. This phenomenon typically relies on social media and mobile communication to bring together individuals who may not know each other in advance, converging to create a surprising or entertaining experience that lasts only a few moments before dispersing just as quickly as it formed. In contrast, other choices do not encapsulate the essence of a flash mob. A gathering of friends in public lacks the spontaneous nature and element of surprise that defines flash mobs. An organized protest implies pre-planning, a clear agenda, and often a deliberate message to convey, which diverges from the typically lighthearted or artistic nature of a flash mob. Similarly, a crowd forming out of fear implies a reaction to a perceived threat, focusing on safety rather than the playful or artistic intent associated with flash mobs. Thus, the defining feature of spontaneity and brief duration is what makes the selected definition accurate.