Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Collective Social Action Emergence of Collective Behavior Structured Conduciveness Preexisting conditions such as rumors Structured Strains Degree of popular anxiety Generalized Beliefs Can anything be done to solve a problem? Precipitating Factors Spontaneous event that precipitates action Mobilization for Action A leader encourages people to join together Failures of Social Control Indecisive officials encourages social action Types of Crowds Casual Temporary, passive, limited social involvement Conventional Structured group as in waiting in line Solidaristic Developed sense of unity such as a revival Expressive Gathering to change mood, emotions, as in a concert Acting Angry, violent group, as in a mob in a riot Blumer: Becoming a Mob Restlessness Rumors begin Significant event People become preoccupied with an incident Milling Collective discussion of the incident Focus A specific aspect is defined Agreement People agree on action Riots, Panics, Rumors Riot A large scale violent collection action Source is shared anger, frustration, and deprivation Panic Collective but irrational reaction to a threat Faced with a crisis, people become hysterical Rumor A false report communicated from one to another As it spreads, it becomes exaggerated and difficult to verify Contagion Theory A crowd “catches” an emotion A mutual stimulation of people seeing each other engaging in normative violations “Collective mind” is less accepted today Contagion still remains intriguing Is mob construction a normal social reaction to an unusual set of circumstances? Convergence Theory A crowd has prior unity Crowd is formed by people who share certain similarities Students’ protest against an issue reflects the groups demographics or values They already share similar opinions about the issue Crowd may behave in unconventional ways Actions would violate personal standards Emergent Norm Theory Personal norms abandoned and replaced by group norms In a crowd, people may become agitated and uncertain about what actions are appropriate If group norm of nonviolence emerges, violators will be punished If a norm of violence emerges, violent participants will be rewarded Types of Social Movements Reform Group attempts to change society in a limited way Repeal a specific law Revolutionary Group attempts to replace the existing order with a completely new order Colonial revolution in 1776 Resistance Group attempts to stop or reverse changes that are taking place Repeal of prohibition of alcohol in 1920s Expressive Group attempts to provide gratification through self-expression Religious movement: speak out and feel better Relative Deprivation People perceive a gap between what should be and what is One group compares itself with another and feels deprived Social movement forms to make corrections People more likely to participate as their conditions improve Situation of rising expectations Resource Mobilization Theory Resources are the key to a successful social movement Includes money, members, leaders, facilities People must agree that the social movement is valid and legitimate When times are prosperous, more resources are available In deteriorating times, resources to support a movement become scarce Mass Society Theory As a society industrializes it changes from a communal arrangement to an associational arrangement Impersonal relations and social isolation Absence of social ties produce alienation A social movement evolves to restore sense of community The Civil Rights Movement End of Civil War did not end economic and political oppression of African Americans Jim Crow laws NAACP founded in 1910 Brown v. Board of Education 1954 Dr. King and the SCLC Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam The Women’s Movement Feminists fight for right to vote 1840s WCTU and the crusade against alcohol Setbacks during the Great Depression Changes during World War II Equal Pay Act of 1963 Civil Rights Act of 1964 NOW 1970s The Environmental Movement Three major factions Mainstream ecology Mainly work in formal organizations funded by independent financial contributions Populist ecology Emphasize individual and corporate responsibility Radical ecology Some follow Gaia Some are ecofeminists Changing Individuals Targeting individuals for change Altering personal knowledge, values, and attitudes Offering alternative through instruction Formal instruction through schools, and other agents Informal instruction through groups and group interaction Changing Organizations Members participate in change To what extent are members involved? Sensitivity to personal needs of members Maintaining morale among members is critical Expectations Positive encounters lead to cooperation Knowledge of operations How will whole system be effected? Changing Institutions Gandhi’s methods Negotiation without compromising fundamentals Prepare for action and consequences Demonstrate Repeat; refusal will lead to more actions Actions; strikes, boycotts Noncooperation Civil disobedience Take over government functions Establish parallel organization Concept Web Collective Social Action Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master subtitle style * * * Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master subtitle style * * * Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master subtitle style * * * Chapter 17 Collective Social Action Emergence of Collective Behavior Structured Conduciveness Preexisting conditions such as rumors Structured Strains Degree of popular anxiety Generalized Beliefs Can anything be done to solve a problem? Precipitating Factors Spontaneous event that precipitates action Mobilization for Action A leader encourages people to join together Failures of Social Control Indecisive officials encourages social action Types of Crowds Casual Temporary, passive, limited social involvement Conventional Structured group as in waiting in line Solidaristic Developed sense of unity such as a revival Expressive Gathering to change mood, emotions, as in a concert Acting Angry, violent group, as in a mob in a riot Blumer: Becoming a Mob Restlessness Rumors begin Significant event People become preoccupied with an incident Milling Collective discussion of the incident Focus A specific aspect is defined Agreement People agree on action Riots, Panics, Rumors Riot A large scale violent collection action Source is shared anger, frustration, and deprivation Panic Collective but irrational reaction to a threat Faced with a crisis, people become hysterical Rumor A false report communicated from one to another As it spreads, it becomes exaggerated and difficult to verify Contagion Theory A crowd “catches” an emotion A mutual stimulation of people seeing each other engaging in normative violations “Collective mind” is less accepted today Contagion still remains intriguing Is mob construction a normal social reaction to an unusual set of circumstances? Convergence Theory A crowd has prior unity Crowd is formed by people who share certain similarities Students’ protest against an issue reflects the groups demographics or values They already share similar opinions about the issue Crowd may behave in unconventional ways Actions would violate personal standards Emergent Norm Theory Personal norms abandoned and replaced by group norms In a crowd, people may become agitated and uncertain about what actions are appropriate If group norm of nonviolence emerges, violators will be punished If a norm of violence emerges, violent participants will be rewarded Types of Social Movements Reform Group attempts to change society in a limited way Repeal a specific law Revolutionary Group attempts to replace the existing order with a completely new order Colonial revolution in 1776 Resistance Group attempts to stop or reverse changes that are taking place Repeal of prohibition of alcohol in 1920s Expressive Group attempts to provide gratification through self-expression Religious movement: speak out and feel better Relative Deprivation People perceive a gap between what should be and what is One group compares itself with another and feels deprived Social movement forms to make corrections People more likely to participate as their conditions improve Situation of rising expectations Resource Mobilization Theory Resources are the key to a successful social movement Includes money, members, leaders, facilities People must agree that the social movement is valid and legitimate When times are prosperous, more resources are available In deteriorating times, resources to support a movement become scarce Mass Society Theory As a society industrializes it changes from a communal arrangement to an associational arrangement Impersonal relations and social isolation Absence of social ties produce alienation A social movement evolves to restore sense of community The Civil Rights Movement End of Civil War did not end economic and political oppression of African Americans Jim Crow laws NAACP founded in 1910 Brown v. Board of Education 1954 Dr. King and the SCLC Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam The Women’s Movement Feminists fight for right to vote 1840s WCTU and the crusade against alcohol Setbacks during the Great Depression Changes during World War II Equal Pay Act of 1963 Civil Rights Act of 1964 NOW 1970s The Environmental Movement Three major factions Mainstream ecology Mainly work in formal organizations funded by independent financial contributions Populist ecology Emphasize individual and corporate responsibility Radical ecology Some follow Gaia Some are ecofeminists Changing Individuals Targeting individuals for change Altering personal knowledge, values, and attitudes Offering alternative through instruction Formal instruction through schools, and other agents Informal instruction through groups and group interaction Changing Organizations Members participate in change To what extent are members involved? Sensitivity to personal needs of members Maintaining morale among members is critical Expectations Positive encounters lead to cooperation Knowledge of operations How will whole system be effected? Changing Institutions Gandhi’s methods Negotiation without compromising fundamentals Prepare for action and consequences Demonstrate Repeat; refusal will lead to more actions Actions; strikes, boycotts Noncooperation Civil disobedience Take over government functions Establish parallel organization Concept Web Collective Social Action Chapter 17 Collective Social Action Emergence of Collective Behavior Structured Conduciveness Preexisting conditions such as rumors Structured Strains Degree of popular anxiety Generalized Beliefs Can anything be done to solve a problem? Precipitating Factors Spontaneous event that precipitates action Mobilization for Action A leader encourages people to join together Failures of Social Control Indecisive officials encourages social action Types of Crowds Casual Temporary, passive, limited social involvement Conventional Structured group as in waiting in line Solidaristic Developed sense of unity such as a revival Expressive Gathering to change mood, emotions, as in a concert Acting Angry, violent group, as in a mob in a riot Blumer: Becoming a Mob Restlessness Rumors begin Significant event People become preoccupied with an incident Milling Collective discussion of the incident Focus A specific aspect is defined Agreement People agree on action Riots, Panics, Rumors Riot A large scale violent collection action Source is shared anger, frustration, and deprivation Panic Collective but irrational reaction to a threat Faced with a crisis, people become hysterical Rumor A false report communicated from one to another As it spreads, it becomes exaggerated and difficult to verify Contagion Theory A crowd “catches” an emotion A mutual stimulation of people seeing each other engaging in normative violations “Collective mind” is less accepted today Contagion still remains intriguing Is mob construction a normal social reaction to an unusual set of circumstances? Convergence Theory A crowd has prior unity Crowd is formed by people who share certain similarities Students’ protest against an issue reflects the groups demographics or values They already share similar opinions about the issue Crowd may behave in unconventional ways Actions would violate personal standards Emergent Norm Theory Personal norms abandoned and replaced by group norms In a crowd, people may become agitated and uncertain about what actions are appropriate If group norm of nonviolence emerges, violators will be punished If a norm of violence emerges, violent participants will be rewarded Types of Social Movements Reform Group attempts to change society in a limited way Repeal a specific law Revolutionary Group attempts to replace the existing order with a completely new order Colonial revolution in 1776 Resistance Group attempts to stop or reverse changes that are taking place Repeal of prohibition of alcohol in 1920s Expressive Group attempts to provide gratification through self-expression Religious movement: speak out and feel better Relative Deprivation People perceive a gap between what should be and what is One group compares itself with another and feels deprived Social movement forms to make corrections People more likely to participate as their conditions improve Situation of rising expectations Resource Mobilization Theory Resources are the key to a successful social movement Includes money, members, leaders, facilities People must agree that the social movement is valid and legitimate When times are prosperous, more resources are available In deteriorating times, resources to support a movement become scarce Mass Society Theory As a society industrializes it changes from a communal arrangement to an associational arrangement Impersonal relations and social isolation Absence of social ties produce alienation A social movement evolves to restore sense of community The Civil Rights Movement End of Civil War did not end economic and political oppression of African Americans Jim Crow laws NAACP founded in 1910 Brown v. Board of Education 1954 Dr. King and the SCLC Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam The Women’s Movement Feminists fight for right to vote 1840s WCTU and the crusade against alcohol Setbacks during the Great Depression Changes during World War II Equal Pay Act of 1963 Civil Rights Act of 1964 NOW 1970s The Environmental Movement Three major factions Mainstream ecology Mainly work in formal organizations funded by independent financial contributions Populist ecology Emphasize individual and corporate responsibility Radical ecology Some follow Gaia Some are ecofeminists Changing Individuals Targeting individuals for change Altering personal knowledge, values, and attitudes Offering alternative through instruction Formal instruction through schools, and other agents Informal instruction through groups and group interaction Changing Organizations Members participate in change To what extent are members involved? Sensitivity to personal needs of members Maintaining morale among members is critical Expectations Positive encounters lead to cooperation Knowledge of operations How will whole system be effected? Changing Institutions Gandhi’s methods Negotiation without compromising fundamentals Prepare for action and consequences Demonstrate Repeat; refusal will lead to more actions Actions; strikes, boycotts Noncooperation Civil disobedience Take over government functions Establish parallel organization CONCEPT WEB Collective Social Action