Schaefer10e ppt ch22

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SOCIOLOGYRichard T. Schaefer

Collective Behavior and Social

Movements

22

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22. Collective Behavior and Social Movements

• Theories of Collective Behavior • Forms of Collective Behavior• Communication and the Globalization of

Collective Behavior• Social Policy and Social Movements

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Theories of Collective Behavior

• Emergent-Norm Perspective

Emergent-norm perspective reflects shared convictions held by members of the group and is enforced through sanctions

– During an episode of collective behavior, a definition of what behavior is appropriate or not emerges from the crowd

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Theories of Collective Behavior

• Value-Added Perspective– Explains how broad social conditions

are transformed in a definite pattern into some form of collective behavior

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Theories of Collective Behavior

• Value-Added Perspective– Six Determinants of Collective

Behavior:• Structural conduciveness• Structural strain• Generalized belief• A precipitating factor• Mobilization for Action• Exercise of social control

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Theories of Collective Behavior

• Assembling Perspective– Examines how and why people move

from different points in space to a common location•Periodic assemblies: recurring,

relatively routine gatherings of people such as work groups, college classes, sporting events

•Nonperiodic assemblies: includes demonstrations, parades, and gatherings at such events as fires and arrests

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Crowds

– Temporary groupings of people in close proximity who share a common focus or interest• Not totally lacking in structure• During riots, the emergent-norm

perspective suggests that new social norm is accepted

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Disaster Behavior

– Disaster: sudden or disruptive event or set of events that overtaxes a community’s resources so that outside aid is necessary

– Disaster Research• Disaster Research Center at University of

Delaware key research center

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Disaster Behavior

Even in the aftermath of an unimaginable disaster, people and organizations respond in predictable ways

– Case Study: Collapse of the World Trade Center• Typified many of the hallmarks of

disaster recovery

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Fads and Fashions

– Fads: temporary patterns of behavior involving large numbers of people

– Fashions: Pleasurable mass involvements that feature acceptance by society and historical continuity

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Panics and Crazes

– Panic: fearful arousal or collective flight based on a generalized belief that may or may not be accurate

– Craze: exciting mass involvement that lasts for a relatively long period of time

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Publics and Public Opinion

– Public: dispersed group of people, not necessarily in contact with one another, who share interest in an issue

– Public Opinion: expressions of attitudes on matters of public policy that are communicated to decision makers

Rumors: piece of information gathered informally that is used to interpret an ambiguous situation

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Social Movements

– Organized collective activities to bring about or resist change in an existing group or society

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Social Movements

– Relative Deprivation

Before discontent will be channeled into a social movement, people must feel they have a right to their goals and perceive that they cannot attain their goals through conventional means

• Conscious feeling of negative discrepancy between legitimate expectations and present actualities

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Social Movements

– Resource Mobilization

To sustain a social movement, there must be an organizational base and continuity of leadership.

• Ways a social movement utilizes such resources as money, political influence, access to the media, and workers

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Gender and Social Movements

– Women find it more difficult than men to assume leadership positions in social movement organizations

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Forms of Collective Behavior• Social Movements

– New Social Movements

New social movements generally do not view government as their ally

• Organized collective activities that promote autonomy, self-determination, and improved quality of life.

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Communication and the Globalization of Collective Behavior

• New social movement theory offers broader, global perspective on social and political activism– Internet forcing new communities

that act and react in an electronic village

– Developments in communications technology broadened the way we interact

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Communication and the Globalization of Collective Behavior

Table 22-1. Contributions to Social Movement Theory

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Social Policy and Social Movements

• Disability Rights– The Issue

• Effort to ensure the health and rights of people with disabilities has grown steadily

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Social Policy and Social Movements

• Disability Rights– The Setting

• In 1990, government passed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

– Prohibits bias against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications

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Social Policy and Social Movements

• Disability Rights– Sociological Insights

• ADA is a significant framing of the issue of disability rights

• Conflict theorists see ADA as part of 40-year civil rights movement

• Interactionists focus on the everyday relationships of people with and without disabilities

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Social Policy and Social Movements

• Disability Rights– Policy Perspectives

• Groups feel federal agencies are too cautious in enforcing ADA

• Visitability of homes being discussed