Collective behaviour

Question 1

When does ‘collective behaviour’ take place?

Answer 1

When norms are absent or unclear or when they contradict each other

Question 2

What does ‘collective behaviour’ refer to?

Answer 2

The social processes and events which do not reflect existing social structure but which emerge in a spontaneous way

Question 3

How does collective behaviour differ from group behaviour?

Answer 3

• Involves limited and short-lived social interaction; groups tend to remain together longer.
• Has no clear social boundaries; anyone can be a member of the collective; group membership is usually more discriminating.
• Generates weak and unconventional norms; groups have stronger and more conventional norms.

Question 4

What are three aspects of deindividuation?

Answer 4

• The feeling of being swept along with the crowd.
• You become less aware of yourself (lose your sense of self).
• People act more antisocially causing aggression, rioting, vandalism.

Question 5

What are Blumer’s four types of crowds?

Answer 5

1) Casual
2) Conventional
3) Expressive
4) Acting

Question 6

What is a casual crowd?

Answer 6

A collection of people with no real interaction (such as people shopping)

Question 7

What is a conventional crowd?

Answer 7

People at a deliberately planned meeting (such as an organised community meeting)

Question 8

What is an expressive crowd?

Answer 8

A crowd of people at an emotionally charged event (such as a football final)

Question 9

What is an acting crowd?

Answer 9

A crowd intent on accomplishing something (such as fans rushing a stage during/after a concert)

Question 10

What is contagion theory?

Answer 10

Contagion theory proposes that crowds exert a hypnotic influence on their members.

Question 11

What can contagion theory lead to?

Answer 11

When combined with the anonymity of belonging to a large group of people, it can result in irrational, emotionally charged behaviour.

Question 12

What is convergence theory?

Answer 12

Convergence theory argues that the behaviour of a crowd is not an emergent property of the crowd but is a result of like-minded individuals coming together.

In other words, if a crowd becomes violent (a mob or riot), convergence theory would argue that this is not because the crowd encouraged violence but rather because people who wanted to become violent came together in the crowd.

Question 13

What is emergent norm theory?

Answer 13

Emergent norm theory combines contagion theory and convergence theory, arguing that it is a combination of like-minded individuals, anonymity, and shared emotion that leads to crowd behaviour.

Question 14

What is a major assumption of contagion theory?

Answer 14

Collective behaviour is emotional and irrational and results from the hypnotic influence of the crowd.

Question 15

What is a major assumption of convergence theory?

Answer 15

Crowd behaviour reflects the beliefs and intentions that individuals already share before they join a crowd.

Question 16

What is a major assumption of emergent norm theory?

Answer 16

People are not sure how to behave when they begin to interact in collective behaviour. As they discuss their potential behaviour, norms governing their behaviour emerge, and social order and rationality then guide their behaviour.

Question 17

Define panic.

Answer 17

Panic is a sudden terror which dominates thinking and often affects groups of people.

Question 18

True or false: crowd/mass panic is quite common.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

What is a riot?

Answer 19

A form of civil disorder characterised by disorganised groups lashing out in a sudden/intense rash of violence, vandalism or other crime.

Question 20

When do riots typically occur?

Answer 20

In reaction to a perceived grievance/dissent.

Historically, riots occur due to poor working or living conditions, government oppression, taxation, conflicts between races/religions, and the outcome of a sporting event.

Question 21

Define hysteria.

Answer 21

Hysteria is a diagnostic label applied to a state of mind, of unmanageable fear/emotional excesses. People who are “hysterical” often lose self-control due to the overwhelming fear.

Question 22

What is a fad?

Answer 22

A fad, also known as a craze, refers to a fashion that becomes popular in a culture (or subcultures) relatively quickly, remains popular, often for a rather brief period, then loses popularity dramatically.

Question 23

What are the characteristics of mass hysteria epidemics?

Answer 23

• Epidemics of hysteria rely on the power of suggestion
• Nourished by fear, sadness and anxiety.
• Victims subject to severe psychological strain over the preceding weeks/months.

= One or more then develop a psychosomatic symptom, and those made suggestible by pent-up anxiety quickly follow suit.

Question 24

What is a rumour?

Answer 24

A rumour is an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person.

Question 25

What are the three basic characteristics of rumours?

Answer 25

• They’re transmitted by word of mouth
• They provide “information” about a person, happening, or condition
• They express and gratify the emotional needs of the community