The results of laboratory experiments with miniature social situations are described. The effects of the reward structure on group behavior in situations in which cooperation was required for success were studied. "A theory is suggested, explaining the non-adaptive features of behavior occurring in panics in terms of the reward structure of the situations rather than in terms of mutual facilitation of emotion." While the existence of mutual emotional facilitation is not denied, non-adaptive group behavior is thought to be closely related to perception of the situation and expectation of what is likely to happen. 32 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)