Chapter 8, Collective Behavior, Social Movements and Mass Publics

1. Chapter 8, Collective Behavior, Social Movements and Mass Publics • The Meanings of Disorder • The Nature of Collective Behavior • Social Movement Theory • Social Movements and Civil Society • Mass Publics and Public Opinion

2. The Nature of Collective Behavior • Unusual or nonroutine behaviors that are engaged in by large number so people. • People reacting to situations they perceive as uncertain or threatening. • Events that involve large numbers of people in nonroutine behaviors that are organized by leaders that have specific goals.

3. Collective Behavior • Occurs in crowds, masses or both at once. • Behavior depends on the emotions people involved in the events feel are appropriate to express. • Most significant categories of emotions that motivate collective behavior: fear, hostility, joy.

4. Four Types of Social Movements • Revolutionary - aim to overthrow existing stratification systems and social institutions. • Reformist: seek partial changes in some institutions and values.

5. Four Types of Social Movements • Conservative - attempt to uphold existing values and institutions of society. • Reactionary - seek to return to institutions and values of the past.

6. Social Movement Theory • Early theories were based on the notion that hysteria or feelings of fear and hatred could spread through masses of people. • According to Marx, revolutions occurred as a result of the spread of capitalism. • Recent analyses show that revolutionary social movements occur in cycles.

7. Social Movements and Civil Society • Civil society is the sphere of public nongovernmental, nonbusiness social activity. • Many people tend to not lend their support to social movements, but reap the benefits anyway.

8. 3 Components of Collective Action Frames • Injustice - sense of moral indignation against a perceived injustice and the people responsible. • Agency - not only is there injustice, but together “we” can do something about it. • Identity - defines who “we” are, usually in opposition to a “they” with different values.

9. Mass Publics • Populations of participants who engage in collective behavior. • Make public opinion possible. • Factors such as increased leisure time, dependence on cars, technological developments have influenced the lifestyles of mass publics, which has shaped society.