Collective Behaviour & Social Change Flashcards
What is collective behaviour? /2
any social interaction in which a group of people engage in behaviour that is not in their normal routine
can easily influence each other
What is social change?
how cultures and social institutions change over time
What is a crowd?
large group of people who gather for a temporary purpose
What is a mob?
group characterized by high levels of emotion that engage in some type of focused action that can be violent or disruptive
What is a riot?
emotional and violent disturbances of the peace by a crowd that lack a central focus
What is fashion?
object, style, or behaviour which become popular for a period of time
What is a fad?
temporary fashion or action the public embraces
What are rumours?
stories or statements that lack information or certainty
What are urban legends?
rumours that are presented as true stories
act as cautionary tales
What is a casual crowd?
a group of people who are in the same place at the same time, but without a specific or shared purpose
ex. shopping mall (to an extent)
What is a conventional crowd?
people who come together for a specific, scheduled event
ex. hockey game, concert
What is an expressive crowd?
people expressing emotions together
ex. wedding
What is an acting crowd?
focused on a specific goal or action
ex. BLM protest
What is a flash mob? /2
group of people who gather together in a spontaneous activity that lasts a limited amount of time before returning to their regular routines
executed more efficiently thanks to technology
ex. for proposals
What is the Contagion Theory? /8
By French sociologist Gustav LeBon
people are more suggestive when they are part of a crowd
do things as a collectivity that they would never do alone
moods, attitudes, and behaviour are communicated rapidly and are accepted by others (contagious)
emotions such as fear and hate are contagious
people experience a decline in personal responsibility
more likely to engage in anti-social behaviour
feeling anonymous and invulnerable
What is the Convergence Theory? /4
suggests that some people are more likely to join crowds
the types of behaviour they exhibit attract a certain personality type
people with similar emotional or social attributes are more likely to participate in collective behaviour
more likely to join a mob or riot
ex. the storming of the capital for Donald Trump
What is the Emergent Norms Theory? /5
crowds establish new forms of behaviour
develop their own definition of a situation
a leader often emerges and others follow their lead
can start a riot and become violent
old norms no longer apply
ex. the reaction of overcrowding at the Travis Scott concert 2021
What is William Ogburn’s view on social change? /4
determined by technology
invention
discovery
diffusion
What is an invention? /3
creating something completely new
made with one’s own ideas and development
usually a device
ex. record player
What is a discovery? /2
recognizing for the first time something that already exists
nobody has found or used before
ex. feedback in music
What is a diffusion?
spread of ideas and tools to other cultures
ex. reggae music
What is a social movement? /2
enduring form of collective action
an organized group that acts consciously to promote or resist change o the social system
What is Alternative Social Movements?
create a limited change in certain people’s thoughts, practices, and beliefs regarding a specific issue
ex. Mothers Against Drunk Driving
What is Redemptive Social Movements? /2
focus on specific individuals
seek radical change
ex. Sunday Church
