Look up the term ''mass hysteria''. What does this term mean and what role did ''mass hysteria'' play in the Salem Witch Trials?

Mass hysteria is the common term used to describe a situation in which various people all suffer from similar hysterical symptoms – either from a phantom illness or an inexplicable event. As far as the Crucible goes we were dealing with petty grievances by various townspeople. Abigail had it out for Mrs. Proctor. Thomas Putnam coveted land, Reverend Parris had a host of petty little grievances....Calling people witches was a sure fire way to get back at people or even get rid of them permanently. The accusations blew up into full blown hysteria where nobody was safe. All of these accusations incited the hysteria that took hold of the village. People forgot who originally levelled accusations and why. People simply got caught up in the mob mentality of the hysteria for its own sake.