Soc. 100 C17 Lecture 15 CB

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Soc. 100 C17 Lecture 15 CB
Edit 4/3/97
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A CB Knowledge Quiz
Will be discussed in class
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a. General Models of CB
Collective Behavior crowds, mobs, cults, social
movements, etc.
Convergence Contagion (Lebon)
Sociological explanations (emergent norm)
Jim's version not exactly the same as the text
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Collective behavior Outline
Different from text
1. A definition 2. Myths of Collective
Behavior 3. Basic model of "emergent norm"
perspective 4. Crisis Characteristics 5.
Two key dimensions of a crisis 6. Major
concepts (milling, rumor, contagion) 7. Major
Types of CB 8. Textbook concepts
Theories 9. Concepts distinctions
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1. A definition
Functional Theory
Collective behavior non normative
(institutional) social behavior directed to
--solve problems that have no or inadequate
institutional solutions (e.g. natural
disasters) --redefining institutional
definitions or even the institutions
themselves (e.g. political protest)
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2. Myths of Collective Behavior
Anti Institutional
Natural Disaster (Le Bon Crowd)
1. suggestibility 2. destructiveness 3.
irrationally 4. mental disturbance 5.lower
-class participation 6. spontaneity 7.
creativeness 8. lack of self-control 9.
anti-social behavior
1. Panic 2. Immobility 3. limited ability of
organizations 4.anti-social behavior 5.
lowered community morale 6. total chaos possible
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3. Basic model of "emergent norm" perspective
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4. Crisis Characteristics
Disruption --gt no standby mechanisms Disruption
--gt failure of standby mechanisms Communication
Outcome perceived as better
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5. Two key dimensions of a crisis
Culture, values, norms --inconsistencies

contradictions Social Organization , roles
(e.g. president
student vs. teacher)
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6.Some Major concepts
milling--interaction attempting to define the
situation rumor---verbal milling, attempt to
establish cause, solution under
less then ideal circumstances contagion--growin
g acceptance of the CB (even at
most intense not all accept)
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7. Major Types of CB
Scope Time (limited) (short)
Elementary Collective behavior Crowds / Riots
(LA Riots) Diffuse Collectivities / cults
(Hare Krishners, Branch Davidians,
Peoples
Temple) Publics (NOW, Right To Life,
Choice) Social Movements / Revolutions
(American Revolution, Women's Movement
Russian social movement, Iranian revolution)
(total) (long term )
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8. Textbook concepts Theories
Examples of CB Tulipmania, Branch Davidians,
Satanic Panic, LA Riot, Mobilizing the disabled,
NIMBYS, Iranian revolution
a. Smelser "Value Added" (p588) b. Davis
"Rising Expectations Relative
Depravation"(p596) c. Tilly's collective action
theory(p598) d. Skocpol's theory of social
revolution (p606)
Emergent norm theory sees particular response as
result of social/cultural factors
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9. Concepts distinctions
institutional behavior individual deviant
behavior normative change (fads,
fashions) collective behavior social change
(trends--population...) rational vs. irrational
behavior
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Quiz CB
Dont Print
(1) Single individuals or small groups indulged
in non traditional behavior is deviance.
What is the study of large numbers of
people doing this called collective
Behavior (2) A sociologist like Smelser see' s
the 900 deaths at the People's Temple
compound as due to social environment
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