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

Which of the following best describes a physical crowd?

1. Highly organized with a unified purpose

2. Little or no organization with members coming and going

3. Emotionally driven with a common interest

4. Fixed location with leaders directing behavior

The correct answer is: Little or no organization with members coming and going

A physical crowd is characterized by little or no organization, with individuals often coming and going as they please. This type of crowd is typically casual and spontaneous, resulting in a lack of cohesive purpose or leadership. Members may share a space, but their interactions are generally based on immediate interests or activities rather than a structured agenda. In contrast, a highly organized crowd (the first option) would exhibit a clear, unified purpose, which suggests a level of coordination and planning that is not present in a physical crowd context. The emotionally driven option implies a connection through shared feelings or passions, indicating a deeper emotional investment than the more transient nature of a physical crowd. Lastly, a fixed location with leaders directing behavior would suggest a more organized setting, such as a rally or protest, which also doesn't align with the typical fluidity and lack of structure found in a physical crowd. Thus, the defining characteristic of the correct answer highlights the informal and disorganized nature of such gatherings.