Download - Explanations of Crowd Behaviour A. Contagion Theory B. Convergence Theory C. Emergent-Norm Theory
Explanations of Crowd Behaviour
A. Contagion TheoryB. Convergence Theory
C. Emergent-Norm Theory
A. CONTAGION THEORY Focuses on the social-psychological
aspects of collective behaviour; it attempts to explain how moods, attitudes, and behaviour are communicated rapidly and why they are accepted by others.
This theory asserts that… People engage in anti-social behavior
because they are anonymous and feel invulnerable
Individuals with rational minds turn into a “single organism” with a collective mind
Because fear and hate are contagious in crowds, people do things collectively that they would never do as individuals
B. CONVERGENCE THEORY Focuses on the shared emotions, goals
and beliefs that many people bring to crowd behavior.
This theory asserts… People have individual characteristics in
common that bring them together in crowds to express a collective emotion.
These crowds SHARE a common belief or emotion before they gather
C. EMERGENT-NORM THEORY People develop their own set of norms for
behaviors to fit the situation.
This view represents the use of symbolic-interaction paradigm.
Crowd behavior is neither as irrational as contagion theory suggests, nor as deliberate as convergence theory implies.
Crowd behavior reflects the desires of participants but is also guided by norms that emerge as the situation unfolds.
Example… Cheering vs. Booing in a crowd
People will applaud independantly, but will wait to coordinate their booing with other people so that they don’t boo alone.
Mass Behaviour
A. Rumours and GossipB. Mass Hysteria and Panic
C. Fads and Fashions
MASS BEHAVIOUR A collective behaviour that takes place
when people respond to the same event in much the same way.
Rumours Are unsubstantiated reports on and issue or a
subject. May contain a “kernel” of truth Spread Serve the interest of those spreading them Often spread when little information is available on an issue
of great concern Usually don’t stop until information proves them wrong With technology can spread very easily and quickly
Gossip Refers to the personal lives of people
Not necessarily about people we actually know personally
Mass Hysteria and Panic A form of dispersed collective behaviour
that occurs when a large number of people react with strong emotions and self-destructive behavior or a real or perceived threat
EXAMPLES??
Fads and Fashions A fad is a temporary but widely copied
activity enthusiastically followed by a large number of people
Media can bring these fads to large audiences around the world
Fashion: may be defined as a currently valued style of behavior, thinking or appearance.
Child rearing, sports, clothing, music and art Most sociological research has focused on
clothing, particularly on women’s apparel