Download Sociology 545 Social Psychology

Sociology 545
Social Psychology
Fall 2005
Collective Behavior

Definition

Crowds

Masses

Social Movements
Collective Behavior
Definition:
“The elements of emergent behavior
carried out in the presence of others,
the nature of which is not guided by
any pre-established normative order”
Collective Behavior
Space
Time
Face-to-Face
Spontaneous
Crowds
Longer-Term
Masses
(Public Opinion)
Diffuse
Masses
(Fads/Fashions)
Social
Movements
Collective Behavior
Crowds (Acting and Passive)
“a relatively large aggregate of
individuals in the same physical
proximity, reacting to a common
stimulus (yet exhibiting none of
the characteristics of a group).”
Collective Behavior
Characteristics:





An opportunity to congregate
A milling process
A precipitating event
A means to mobilize
The exercise of social control
Collective Behavior
Social Psychological considerations:

Social Space as Role definitions

Circular Reaction in Participating Events

Status Characteristics in mobilization

Social Exchange in the exercise of control
Collective Behavior
Masses
“Large geographically diffuse social
interaction which can be of both
shorter or longer duration, that
demonstrates identity orientation,
resulting in affective behavior.”
Collective Behavior
Characteristics:

The Rumor Process
– (I x A) = M
– The Wells WOW example

Mass media and Public Opinion
– Lazarsfeld’s two-step flow
– Networks and Public Opinion
Collective Behavior
Social Psychological considerations:

Mass media in the Rumor Process

Networks and the Spread of Rumor

Status Characteristics in Two Step Flows

Structural Equivalence in Public Opinion
Collective Behavior
Social Movements:
“Diffuse interaction, over a longer
period, engaging individuals in a
form of reference group behavior
that facilitates their activities and
forms attitudes, so as to effect a
political and social consequence.”
Collective Behavior
Characteristics:

Differing Types
– Evolutionary, Revolutionary, Utopian
– Reactionary, Repressive

Membership
– Marginalized, alienated, few ties
– Lower income, minority
Collective Behavior
Social Psychological considerations:

Relative Deprivation and Action

Network properties of Marginalization

Consensus and Social Change