Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change

1. Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change Chapter Fifteen Essentials of Sociology Lindsey and Beach

2. Collective Behavior Spontaneous short-lived activity engaged in by a large number of people which takes place in uncertain or rapidly changing times In contrast Institutionalized behavior refers to activity that is guided by firmly established norms Going to school, movies, working etc.,

3. The Collective Behavior Continuum

4. Explaining Collective Behavior Contagion Theory A psychological – social psychological approach Suggests that the excitement of the crowd is contagious and therefore breaks down the restraint of individuals Inhibitions are lost through the anonymity provided by the group Argues that collective behavior should be understood as an irrational activity

5. Explaining Collective Behavior Value-Added Theory Developed by Neil Smelser Argued that 6 conditions must be present for collective behavior to occur Society must be structurally conducive to collective behavior’s occurrence Structural strain must be present A generalized belief must exist of what is wrong and what could be done A precipitating incident that sparks the collective behavior Mobilization of action Agents of social control are conducive to the collective action

6. An example of Value-Added Theory The Los Angeles Riots (1992) The 1st amendment to the constitution gave rioters the right to assemble There was a long time strain between the LAPD and the local African American population A general feeling existed that the social ills faced by African Americans were the product of Racism Then came the acquittal of the four officers charged with beating Rodney King Once a few started to act and television gave coverage to them the activity started to spread Early inaction by the police prolonged events and allowed it to grow

7. Explaining Collective Behavior Emergent-Norm Theory Tied to the symbolic interactionist perspective When expectation over behavior is vague crowd norms are allowed to emerge and take over Views collective behavior as rational behavior People are free to leave if behavior comes to offend their sensibilities

8. Forms of Collective Behavior: Crowds

9. Dispersed Collective Behavior Rumor Unverified information passed informally from person to person Sociologists ask how rumors serve to solve problems and reduce anxiety Thrive in times of uncertainty Gossip Rumors about personal affairs Urban Legend Rumors recounting scary events – offer life lessons Mass Hysteria Intense, fearful, and seemingly irrational reaction to perceived but often misunderstood or imaginary threat Fads Periodic popularity of styles Occurs most frequently in modern societies where change is appreciated

10. Social Movements A relatively large and organized group of people working for or opposing social change and using at least some unconventional or uninstitutionalized methods

11. What Type of People Join Social Movements Individuals that are deeply committed to a set of goals Those that support the goals of the movement Those who enjoy being a part of the social movement (insecure) Those that are curious about social movement activities Those that use the social movement’s activities for their own personal interests

12. Why Do People Join Social Movements Mass-Society Theory Movement appeals to those that feel disenfranchised Movement provides sense of empowerment or understanding for disillusionment Relative-Depravation Theory Participation tied to a disjuncture between legitimate expectations and perceived actuality

13. Why Do People Join Social Movements Recruitment Through Networks Activists maintain relationships with like minded individuals Movements thrive from the development and maintenance of a strong social network Frame Alignment Emphasis is on how the movement frames perceptions to attract members Injustice component Agency component Identity component

14. How is age and education related to support for social movement activity?

15. Types of Social Movements Reformist Small in scale—seek limited change Work to secure change through the system Exists in democratic societies Revolutionary Large in scale—seek major overhauls in the system Often a response to oppressive conditions More likely to use violent or extreme tactics to secure change Reactionary Seek to reverse the general direction of social change—return to an earlier time Progress or social change is perceived to threaten the status quo

16. What type of social movement activities would you support?

17. What is Social Change? Alterations that occur over time and involve elements of the society’s social structure, culture and patterns of behavior It is continual and universal Sometimes social change is planned but in many instances it is not

18. Factors affecting whether or not social change will be welcomed What is the source of social change Dynamic or mundane Is there a strong sense of need for social change Does the change involve aspects of the material or nonmaterial culture Material ideas are welcomed more Does the source of social change conform to the values of the society More divergent forms will likely face resistance

19. Sources of Social Change Natural Environment Humans constantly must adapt to changes in the physical environment Some changes are gradual Global Warming Some changes are dramatic Earthquake or Tornado Demographic Change Growth of population was a major source of change throughout the world the last century Not only change in size of population, but change in its composition has major consequences What are the upcoming consequences of growth in the aged population for the United States?

20. Sources of Social Change New Ideas Change in thought can have significant impacts on different aspects of society Examples: Marxian thought and the number of revolutions it inspired The Protestant Reformation and its development of a unique work ethic has been argued to be the spur of capitalism New Technologies Especially important engine of social change As seen with the industrial revolution, emerging technologies can cause populations to increase rapidly and to overwhelming size

21. Sources of Social Change Government The emergence of strong centralized governments has given opportunities to considerable social change Support of calls for change (Civil Rights Movement) Development of various social programs (Social Security Administration) Competition and War In an increasing global economy countries frequently compete with one another to get an advantage War and preparation for it has led to the development of new technologies, shifts in populations, and a rethinking of cultural values What impact did WWII have on the U.S economy or on gender norms?

22. Theoretical Perspectives of Social Change Cyclical Theory Social change is analogous to the cycle of seasons Social change is not directional but cyclical Source of change is located within the society Paul Kennedy (contemporary historian) has argued that history shows many lessons of when great civilizations decline The commonality was that such decline was preceded by extreme devotion to military concerns rather than local economic ones Is this a problem in the United States?

23. Theoretical Perspectives of Social Change Evolutionary Theory Social change is directional—forward, progressing Movement toward increasing complexity and differentiation Source of change is immanent and normal All societies are evolving just at different paces Strongly influenced by the work of Charles Darwin What if anything can inhibit this evolutionary social change?

24. Theoretical Perspectives of Social Change Functionalist Theory Stability not change is the natural order of things Social change is abnormal Societies are always resistant to change Source of change is external to the society What appears as change is actually that society’s attempt at maintaining equilibrium when confronted with disruptions

25. Theoretical Perspectives of Social Change Conflict Social change is constant Source of change tied to the struggles that exist within a society Societies frequently possess contradictions which ultimately create conflict leading to change Advanced economies require a more educated workforce A more educated workforce is more aware of its possible exploitation and hence resistance to it (change)

26. Modernization The sum total of the structure and cultural changes that accompanied the industrial revolution Examples of Modernization Large middle class Emphasis of equality of rights More equalized roles for men and women Variation in household forms Increased literacy rates Decreased significance of religion in the operation of other institutions Large centralized government Occurrence of acute rather than chronic diseases Decline in mortality Spread of rational bureaucracy to all aspects of social life Are we living in a postmodern world now?

27. Social Change in the Developed World Contemporary Theorists Ralf Dahrendorf Struggle in developed nations occur among many diverse groups not just between specific social classes Conflict and the possibility of change is always present Conflict can be a positive source George Ritzer The spread of rationalization to all aspects of social life has led to the McDonaldization of the United States Society is increasingly organized around efficiency (simplification) There is the push to understand everything in calculated terms (quantity over quality) Emphasis is on maintaining predictability (everything alike) Push for institutional control over workers and customers (depersonalization of interactions)

28. Social Change in the Developing World Much of the development in non-developed nations is dependent on aid from other nations Note that the U.S. is the largest giver of aid, but that it gives the least in comparison to its overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP-the dollar valuation of all that is produced within) 

29. Past and Future Giving by the United States

30. Where does the money go? Note the differences in where aid is sent Why do you think the U.S. and Japan contribute differently with regard to whom they give aid?

31. What is U.S. Aid going toward for development?

32. World Refugees Frequently, underdeveloped nations are marred by many internal abuses of population This has led many to flee rather than wait for improvement