Chapter 17 Collective Behavior and Social Movement

In many places the people are upset with their government or the way their society works. Every once in a while, when the people cannot take it anymore, they try to change that part of society that they don’t like. Sometimes they are successful, other times they are not.

       Collective behavior is the relatively spontaneous social behavior that occurs when people try to develop common solutions to unclear situations. Groups that exhibit collective behavior are called collectives. Three factors distinguish these collectives and they are limited interaction (there is little to no interaction), unclear norms (behavior is unclear or unconventional), and limited unity. A collectivity is a gathering of people that barely interact and have unclear norms and unity. A crowd is a temporary gathering of people who are close enough proximity to interact. A mob is an emotionally charged collectivity whose members are united by a specific destructive or violent goal. A riot is a collection of people who erupt into generalized destructive behavior. A panic is a spontaneous an uncoordinated group action to escape a perceived threat. A moral panic occurs when people become fearful-often without a reason- about behavior that appears to threaten society’s core values. Fashions refer to enthusiastic attachments among large groups of people for particular styles. Fads are similar to fashions but last a short period of time. A rumor is an unverified piece of information that is spread rapidly. Urban legends are stories that teach a lesson and seem realistic but are not. Propaganda is an organized and deliberate attempt to shape public opinion. Contagion theory states that the hypnotic power of a crowd forces people to give up their individuality to strengthen the group.

"Liberty Guiding the People" by Eugene Delacroix depicts a revolutionary movement.

       Social movements are more deliberate and long lasting forms of collective behavior. Reactionary movements have the goal of reversing the current social trends. Conservative movements try to protect what they see as society’s prevailing values. Revisionary movements try to improve a part of society through social change and finally revolutionary movements are complete radical change of the existing social structure. The life cycle of social movements is agitation, legitimation, bureaucratization, and institutionalization. Relative depravation theory states that people join social groups because they feel deprived relative to other groups. Resource mobilization theory states that even the most ill-treated group with the most just cause will be able to bring social change without resources.

       Regimes are overthrown constantly, this is because the people are unsatisfied with their rules. Throughout history it has been common that groups are made to bring social change, the Magna Carta and the French Revolution are examples. When the people feel threatened or unsatisfied, they will do anything in their power to change it.