2. Why Rebel?
• Individual
-self expression
-identity seeking
-assert independence
-righting a perceived wrong
• groups
-conformity/groupthink
-obedience to authority
3. Collective Behavior
• subfield of sociology
-crowds/groups
• applied to individual emotions
-panic = expressions of fear
-craze = expressions of joy
-hostile outburst = express. of anger
• social movement
-social process which does not reflect
the existing social structure (laws,
conventions & institutions)
-emerge spontaneously
-can become an institution
4. Theories of Crowd Behavior
• Contagion Theory
-create hypnotic effect
-abandon personal responsibility
-crowd assumes life of its own
-stirs emotions & drives to irrational
or violent acts
• Convergence Theory
-people who act in certain way form a
crowd (opposite of Contagion)
-diffusion of responsibility=action
-critical mass of like minded = action
• Emergent-Norm Theory
-collectives with mixed motives/interests
-norms change as people act/others join
-make their own rules as they go
5. Civil Unrest
• disruption of typical social order
-i.e. strikes/protest – peaceful/violent
• occur when group strives attention for
something they feel is unjust
• riots
-unruly mobs = violence/mayhem
-spontaneous
• rebellion
-organized resistance
-clear goals for change
• revolution
-fundamental change
-creation of a new order
