Collective Behavior: Theories and Explanations

Collective behavior is often characterized by irrational or emotional behavior, rather than rational decision-making.

The theory of emergent normativity argues that collective behavior arises from the interaction of individuals in a social setting, where shared norms and values emerge and guide individual behavior.

Smelser's typology of collective behavior includes value-oriented, norm-oriented, and interest-oriented movements, but not rational-oriented movements.

The resource mobilization theory emphasizes the importance of economic resources, such as funding and organizational infrastructure, in enabling social movements to mobilize and achieve their goals.

Turner and Killian's model of the natural history of social movements includes the latent, incipient, emergent, and mobilization stages, but not the disintegration stage.

The theory of social identity argues that individuals' identification with a particular group leads them to engage in collective behavior in order to protect or promote the interests of that group.

Tilly's typology of collective behavior includes crowds, riots, and social movements, but not revolutions.

The theory of collective effervescence argues that collective behavior arises from the spread of emotions and beliefs through social interaction, leading to a heightened sense of unity and solidarity among individuals.

The political process model emphasizes the importance of political opportunities and economic grievances in the emergence of social movements, but does not include cultural beliefs as a key factor.

The theory of framing argues that individuals' cognitive schemas, or mental frameworks, shape their interpretation of events and lead them to engage in collective behavior in response to perceived threats or opportunities.

Blumer's typology of collective behavior includes crowds, riots, and social movements, but not public opinion.

The theory of social contagion argues that collective behavior spreads through the transmission of emotions and beliefs from one individual to another, leading to a shared sense of purpose and action.

The resource mobilization theory emphasizes the importance of economic resources, political opportunities, and social networks in the success of social movements, but does not include cultural beliefs as a key factor.

The theory of collective action argues that individuals engage in collective behavior when they rationally calculate that the benefits of collective action outweigh the costs.

Kuhn's typology of collective behavior includes crowds, riots, and social movements, but not mass hysteria.