Ch 18.3: Collective Behavior

flash mob

a large group of people who gather together in a spontaneous activity that lasts a limited amount of time

collective behavior

a noninstitutionalized activity in which several people voluntarily engage

emergent norm theory

a perspective that emphasizes the importance of social norms in crowd behavior

assembling perspective

a theory that credits individuals in crowds as behaving as rational thinkers and views crowds as engaging in purposeful behavior and collective action

public

an unorganized, relatively diffuse group of people who share ideas

acting crowds

crowds of people who are focused on a specific action or goal

expressive crowds

crowds who share opportunities to express emotions

crowd

a fairly large number of people who share close proximity

value-added theory

a functionalist perspective theory that posits that several preconditions must be in place for collective behavior to occur

mass

a relatively large group with a common interest, even if they may not be in close proximity

conventional crowd

people who come together for a scheduled event

casual crowds

people who share close proximity without really interacting