Final answer:
The statement that following the crowd can have disastrous consequences is true, as evidenced by the limitations of majority rule and the influence of crowds on individual behavior, which can lead to negative outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following the crowd can indeed have disastrous consequences, which is true. Situations where majority rule fails to produce a single preferred outcome, especially when there are more than two choices, illustrate the complexities of group dynamics. The emergent-norm theory suggests that crowds develop their own norms and can influence individual behavior intensely. This can lead to actions that might not be taken by individuals if they were on their own, sometimes resulting in negative or even disastrous outcomes.
Moreover, being part of a large group can sometimes lead to a sense of anonymity which might encourage irresponsible actions that contribute to a tragedy of the commons or exacerbate prisoner's dilemma scenarios. In the context of large groups, such as political constituencies, individual accountability is diluted, and the incentive to free ride increases with the number of individuals involved.