introduces the fundamental concepts separating individual psychology from mass psychology, arguing that social influences and connections are intrinsic to the individual psyche. Freud discusses the inherent contradictions between individual desires and the collective mindset, setting the stage for the exploration of the 'mass soul.' He references the theories of Gustave Le Bon, who posits that individuals in a mass can exhibit fundamentally different emotions and actions than when isolated. This opening portion serves as a prelude to a comprehensive examination of mass behaviors, suggesting that understanding these collective phenomena is essential for fully appreciating the complexities of human psychology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)