Collective behavior

Part 1: Collective behavior and social movements

Collective behaviour 

  • Lynching is a form of collective behaviour

  • It’s done by a group of people (bypass the usual norms

  • Doing something normal

  • Emerges in a spontaneous way

Its not just violent acts as lingering and stats, but a rise in rumors, poverties, facts & fashions


7 Forms of collective behaviour

  1. Riots - Violent crowd behaviour – at people and property

→ In riots there’ll be a sense of injustice

  • They's ego being involved

  • Personal interest in the event

  • Gives them a sense of power

  • They are just curious by the movements

  • Doing it for their own purposes, taking advantage of the situation.


  1. Rumours - Unverified infos that one person pass to one another, thrives on similarity


  1. Panics - Conditions of being so fearful that one can’t function normally and even fines

→ Sudden irrational movements, fear, leading to a self destruction — & distinguished 

  • Spreads to other people, in a rapid pace

  • Role extension = People adding themself a role to help

  1. Mass hysteria - An imagined threat that causes physical symptoms among a large number of people

→ So many cried, then another joined, and another found all cried.

  1. Moral panics - Occurred when large numbers of people become censored, even fearful, and that something dangerous is coming. 

→ Usually when this is happening, the subject is confusing.

  • People back then being scared of witch craft

Rumors also feed moral panics

  1. Fad and fashion = Fad: Temporary pattern of behavior that catches people attention 

  • Popmart, fidget spinner, dalgona coffee, dubai chocolate, etc

Fashion: Pattern of behavior that catches people’s attention & last longer than a fad

  1. Urban legend - Shares with on ironic twists that sounds realistic but are false, usually are told by people, who believe that they happened, Usually connected with the isolation.

→ Area 51




How crowds changes people

  1. Collective minds: 

“ We = you + I”

→ People feel anonymous in the crowds, less chance to be accountable for what they do, developing feelings of invincibility -> Lebon

  • Using a anonymous account to attack someone & feeling powerful afterwards

  • People are swept up by a suggestion

3 main processes

  1. Anonymity = People feel less personally responsible. “I’m just part of the crowd”

  2. Emotional Contagion = Feelings spread quickly, excitement to anger

  3. Suggestibility = Crowds become more responsible to simple messages, symbols or leaders.


-> The crowd becoming more: 

- More emotional 

- Less analystic 

- More unified 


2. Minimax strategy theory 

 “Trying to minimize our costs and maximize our rewards” -> Richard berk (1974)

> The more rewards & fever costs we anticipate from something, the more likely we’ll do it.


3. Emergent norm theory

>If something disrupt our life however, ordinary norms may not cover the new situation”

  • Us doing exams, all calm & alone. But then a fire appeared we have to run.

Shorter terms:

  • Collective minds: Anonymity, less responsible/visible

→ Emosi, injustice

  • Minimax theory: Cost reward (we may think first before we react)

→ Cost - reward (better option)

  • New emergent theory: New situation creates new norm


Part 2: Social Movements

→ A large group of people who are organized to create or resist some social change.

  • People who hold strong ideas about what’s wrong with the world

  • And how to make things work


Proactive social movement: An organized, looking effort aimed at creating, promoting or accelerating specific social change rather than just reacting to a problem.

Reactive social movement: Felt threatened as some of the conditions of society are changing and they react to resist that change. 



Based on the target: 

  • Target Individuals: I. alternative social movements: Seek to alter some specific behaviou       II. redemptive social movements: Target individuals, but their goal is total change

      III. Reformative Social Movements: To reform some specific aspects of the society.

      IV. Transformative social movements: To transform the social order itself. I want to replace the social order with something good. 

        V. Transnational social movements: Targets every people in the world 

      VI. Metaformative social movements: Changes everything in the world. 


Relative Deprivation: Feel deprived of, or entitled to, something when they compare themselves to a standard.


2. Declining privilege theory, protecting status and power: Focuses on people who have enjoyed life, then when they find that their power & status is declining they join a social movement to protect their position. 


3. Moral issues & ideological commitment: People get upset about injustice and want to do something about it.


Part 3: Social Movements & Social Media

Global User of Social Media


Idk smth about social movements are like collective behavior but its different cuz its planned. Like a premeditated movement type shii.

Positive Impacts of Social Media for Social Movements

  1. Global connectivity: Social media enables people from different parts of the world to connect and unite for a common cause. It fosters a sense of global community and solidarity. 

  2. Rapid information sharing: Social media allows quick spread of information, helping it gain quick share. Activists can share updates, news, and resources in real time. 

  3. Amplification of Voices: Social media provides a platform for marginalized or minority voices to be heard. Giving a voice to the one who doesn't have access to traditional media outlets.

  4. Organizational tools: Activists can use social media to organize events, rallies, and protests efficiently. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter provide tools for creating and managing events. 

Negative Impacts of Social Media for Social Movements

1.  Spread of Misinformation: False information can spread quickly, leading to confusion. This can undermine the credibility of a social movement. 

2. Online harassment and Threats: Activists may face harassment, threats, or doxxing on social media. This can discourage individuals from participating in social movements or expressing dissenting opinions. 

3. Dependence on Clicktivisim: A risk that social media activism, or clicktivisim, which may substitute more meaningful offline actions. By just liking or sharing a post may not translate into real-world impact.

4. Short attention spans: The fast paces nature of social media can contribute to short attentions spans, making it challenging for movements to sustain momentum over the long term.