21.1 Collective Behavior
3 min read•june 18, 2024
encompasses various forms of group actions, from to intense and behaviors. These phenomena arise from shared focus, emotions, or responses to stimuli, often deviating from typical social norms and interactions.
Theories like emergent norm and value-added explain how develops. They consider factors such as new norms in ambiguous situations, social conditions, and shared beliefs. Understanding these dynamics helps us grasp the complexities of group actions in society.
Collective Behavior
Forms of collective behavior
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- involve temporary gatherings of people who share a common focus or purpose, with types including casual (loose collection of people in the same place, like in a park), conventional (planned gatherings with shared norms, like at a concert), expressive (intense emotional expression, like at rallies), and (focused on specific goals or actions, like protests)
- Mobs are highly emotional crowds that may engage in violence or destruction, such as riots or lynchings
- involve sudden, intense fear leading to irrational behavior, often occurring in situations of perceived threat (building fires) or danger (natural disasters)
- and refer to short-lived, enthusiastic involvement in a particular activity (dance crazes like the Macarena) or product (fashion trends, collectibles like Beanie Babies)
- involve the spread of unverified information through informal communication channels, which can be harmful (false accusations) or beneficial (early warnings) depending on content and context
- are fictional stories passed off as true, often with a moral or cautionary message, spread through word of mouth and social media (tales of hitchhikers, cautionary stories about products)
- refers to actions of large, dispersed groups of people responding to similar stimuli, often facilitated by mass media and technology
Types and characteristics of crowds
- Casual crowds involve a loose collection of people in the same place at the same time with no common focus or purpose and minimal interaction, such as people in a park or shopping mall
- are planned gatherings with a specific purpose and shared norms, where behavior is structured and predictable, like audiences at a concert or spectators at a sports event
- involve gatherings where people express intense emotions collectively, often involving rhythmic behavior, chanting (political rallies), or singing (religious revivals)
- are focused on a specific goal or action and may engage in collective behavior that deviates from social norms, such as protests, demonstrations, and mobs
Theories of collective behavior
- suggests that collective behavior arises from the development of new norms in ambiguous situations, where people look to others for cues on how to behave when usual norms do not apply, with norms emerging through social interaction and influencing subsequent behavior
- proposes that collective behavior occurs when certain conditions are met in a specific order, including:
- (social conditions that allow for collective behavior)
- (tensions or conflicts in society)
- Growth of a (shared understanding of the situation)
- (specific events that trigger )
- (organization and leadership)
- (responses by authorities or other groups)
- The more conditions present, the more likely collective behavior will occur
- Criticisms and limitations of these theories include:
- May not fully explain all forms of collective behavior
- Some collective behavior may be more spontaneous or less structured than theories suggest
- Theories may overlook the role of individual agency and decision-making in collective behavior
Additional Theories of Collective Behavior
- suggests that emotions and behaviors spread rapidly through crowds, leading to irrational and uniform actions
- proposes that individuals with similar pre-existing attitudes come together to form crowds, explaining the seemingly spontaneous emergence of collective behavior
- Collective action theory focuses on how individuals in groups make decisions to participate in , considering factors such as shared interests, resources, and potential outcomes
Key Terms to Review (35)
Acting crowds: Acting crowds are large groups of people who gather together with a common purpose or intent, often resulting in significant social, political, or cultural change. They are characterized by heightened emotions and a sense of unity among participants.
Acting Crowds: Acting crowds refer to a specific type of collective behavior where individuals in a group act together in a coordinated manner to achieve a shared goal or purpose. These crowds exhibit a sense of unity, organization, and a clear direction, in contrast to more spontaneous and unstructured forms of collective behavior.
Assembling perspective: Assembling perspective in sociology refers to a framework for understanding how social movements and collective behavior are organized, highlighting the processes through which individuals come together to form a collective unit with shared interests or goals. It examines the ways in which groups mobilize resources, communicate, and strategize to achieve their objectives.
Casual Crowds: Casual crowds are informal gatherings of people who come together spontaneously, often in public spaces, without a specific purpose or organization. These types of crowds are characterized by their loose structure and lack of clear leadership or coordination.
Collective Action: Collective action refers to the coordinated efforts of a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal or address a shared issue. It involves the mobilization and organization of people to take collective steps towards a desired outcome, often in the face of challenges or obstacles that cannot be overcome individually.
Collective behavior: Collective behavior is the spontaneous, unstructured, and temporary actions of a group of people in response to a specific situation or event. It is characterized by a shared sense of purpose or emotion among participants.
Collective Behavior: Collective behavior refers to the spontaneous, unstructured, and often temporary actions of a group of people in response to a common stimulus or situation. It involves the emergence of new and unconventional social behaviors that deviate from the established norms and patterns of a society.
Contagion Theory: Contagion theory is a concept in sociology that explains how certain behaviors, emotions, or ideas can spread rapidly through a group or population, much like the way a contagious disease spreads. It suggests that individuals can influence and be influenced by the behaviors and attitudes of those around them, leading to the adoption of similar patterns of thought and action.
Conventional Crowds: Conventional crowds refer to temporary gatherings of people in public spaces that adhere to societal norms and expectations. These crowds form for specific, pre-planned events or activities, and their behavior is typically predictable and orderly, following established social scripts and protocols.
Convergence Theory: Convergence theory posits that as societies modernize, they tend to become more alike, adopting similar economic, political, and social structures. It suggests that as countries develop, their institutions, values, and ways of life converge towards a common model, often influenced by Western or industrialized nations.
Crazes: Crazes refer to temporary fads or enthusiasms that spread rapidly through a population, often driven by social contagion and a desire for conformity. They represent a form of collective behavior that emerges spontaneously and can have a significant impact on societal trends and patterns.
Crowd: A crowd is a large group of people gathered together, often temporarily, sharing a common purpose or reacting to an event within the context of collective behavior. Unlike groups with stable memberships, crowds are fluid and can form spontaneously in response to social movements or changes.
Crowds: Crowds refer to a large gathering of people in a public space, united by a common purpose, emotion, or experience. They are a form of collective behavior that emerges spontaneously and can lead to both positive and negative social outcomes.
Emergent Norm Theory: Emergent norm theory is a sociological perspective that explains how norms and behaviors can emerge spontaneously within a group or collective in response to a specific situation or event. It focuses on the dynamic and fluid nature of social norms, highlighting how they can develop organically rather than being imposed from above.
Expressive Crowds: Expressive crowds are a type of collective behavior characterized by the expression of shared emotions, values, and identities among a group of people. These crowds are driven by the desire to communicate and display their feelings, beliefs, and solidarity, rather than a specific goal or purpose.
Fads: Fads are short-lived trends or behaviors that become popular for a brief period, often driven by social influence and a desire for novelty or conformity. They typically spread rapidly through a population and then quickly decline in popularity, making way for the next emerging fad.
Fads are closely associated with the concept of collective behavior, as they often arise from the spontaneous and unstructured interactions of individuals within a social context. The sudden and widespread adoption of a fad reflects the power of social contagion and the human tendency to follow the crowd, even in the absence of rational or practical reasons for doing so.
Flash mobs: A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act for a brief time, then quickly disperse. These events are often organized through social media and can serve as a form of entertainment or protest.
Generalized Belief: A generalized belief is a widely held assumption or conviction that is not based on specific evidence or personal experience. It represents a general understanding or belief about the world, society, or human behavior that is often shared within a group or culture.
Mass: In sociology, mass refers to large groups of people who share common interests or characteristics and can be mobilized for social movements or collective behavior. These groups often emerge in response to societal issues, seeking change or resistance through unified actions.
Mass Behavior: Mass behavior refers to the collective actions and responses of a large group of people in a given situation. It involves the spontaneous, unplanned, and often emotional reactions of a crowd or a mass of individuals to external stimuli or events. Mass behavior is a key concept in the study of collective behavior, which examines how people behave in group settings and how group dynamics can influence individual actions.
Mobilization for Action: Mobilization for action refers to the process by which individuals or groups are motivated and organized to take collective action towards a common goal or purpose. It involves the coordination of resources, communication, and the activation of social networks to catalyze a response to a perceived issue or opportunity.
Mobs: Mobs are large, unruly crowds of people who engage in disorderly, often violent, collective behavior. They are characterized by a lack of organization, rational decision-making, and individual responsibility, leading to impulsive and potentially destructive actions.
Panics: Panics refer to a sudden and intense state of fear or anxiety that spreads rapidly through a group or population, often leading to irrational and uncontrolled behavior. They are a form of collective behavior that can arise in response to real or perceived threats, crises, or uncertain situations.
Precipitating Factors: Precipitating factors refer to the specific events, circumstances, or triggers that directly contribute to the onset or escalation of a particular behavior, social movement, or collective action. These factors serve as the immediate catalysts that propel individuals or groups to engage in collective behaviors.
Public: In the context of social movements and social change, the public refers to the general population or community that is affected by or is engaging with the collective behavior and actions aimed at promoting change. It encompasses individuals and groups within society who share common interests or concerns but may not be actively involved in organizing or participating in social movements.
Rumors: Rumors are unverified information or stories that spread rapidly through informal communication channels, often without a clear source or evidence to support their validity. In the context of collective behavior, rumors can play a significant role in shaping group dynamics and influencing the actions of individuals within a social setting.
Social control: Social control encompasses the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies utilize to ensure conformity to norms, rules, and laws. It operates both formally, through laws and regulations, enforced by authorities, and informally through socialization and cultural norms.
Social Control: Social control refers to the various mechanisms used by society to regulate individual and group behavior in order to maintain social order and conformity. It encompasses the ways in which individuals and groups are encouraged or compelled to adhere to societal norms, values, and rules through both formal and informal means.
Social movements: Social movements are organized efforts by a large group of people to achieve a specific goal, often aimed at promoting or resisting changes in society. These movements can be local, national, or global and involve collective actions outside of established institutions.
Social Movements: Social movements are collective efforts by people to bring about or resist social change. They involve coordinated actions and shared beliefs among a group of individuals who work together to achieve a common goal, often challenging existing social, political, or economic structures.
Structural Conduciveness: Structural conduciveness refers to the characteristics of a social system or environment that make it more or less likely for collective behavior, such as social movements or mass hysteria, to emerge. It examines how the structural features of a society can influence the development and spread of collective action.
Structural Strain: Structural strain refers to the tension or imbalance within the social structure that can lead to collective behavior, such as social movements or mass protests. It arises when there is a discrepancy between societal goals and the legitimate means to achieve those goals, creating a sense of frustration and a desire for change.
Urban Legends: Urban legends are widely circulated stories or beliefs that are often false or exaggerated, yet are presented as true and believable. These legends typically emerge and spread rapidly within a community or society, often through word-of-mouth, social media, and other forms of communication.
Value-added theory: Value-added theory is a sociological theory that explains how social movements emerge and grow through the addition of necessary conditions, such as social strain, agreement on actions, and mobilization for action. It suggests that for collective behavior to occur, each stage or condition must be met, much like adding ingredients to complete a recipe.
Value-Added Theory: The value-added theory is a sociological concept that explains how collective behavior, such as social movements, emerges and gains momentum. It suggests that social movements arise when individuals perceive that their current situation can be improved through collective action, leading them to contribute time, resources, and effort to the movement.