Study of Collective Behavior by Sociologists - 1307 Words

Collective behavior can be observed in many forms. In the view of sociologist Neil Smelser, â€Å"collective behavior is the relatively spontaneous and unstructured behavior of a group of people who are reacting to a common influence in an ambiguous situation†. (Stolley, 2005) Other sociologists define collective behavior as spontaneous activities that involve large numbers of people violating established norms. This fluidity makes it more difficult for sociologists to generalize about people’s behavior in such situations. (Stolley, 2005) This paper will explore crowds, fashions, fads, rumors, mass hysteria, panics, crazes and public opinions. Crowds A crowd is a temporary collection of people in physical proximity who interact and have a common focus (Stolley, 2005). People in the same place only become a crowd, by definition, when they find that focus. Researchers have identified various types of crowds; casual, conventional and expressive. A casual crowd is a gathering of people who just happen to be at the same place at the same time. An example of a casual crowd could be when people gather around a car accident. These types of crowds may be organized around crowd crystals, which are people who draw attention to themselves in some manner. Conventional crowds are deliberate gatherings bound by norms of behavior (Stolley, 2005). Attendees at a birthday party, a high school or college graduation, holiday parties and weddings are examples of conventional crowds. Some crowdsShow MoreRelatedSociologists Study A Large Range Of Subjects879 Words   |  4 PagesSociologists study a large range of subjects. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines sociology as â€Å"the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings.† The way a sociologist may perceive something can change from what perspective they are using. 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What Is Collective Behavior?   As we review these pages for the final time sections of Los Angeles are in flames in response to a jury verdict exonerating police whose beating of an African American man was captured on videotape. Supporters and opponents of abortion take to the streets daily. Mexico City searches for answers to a gas explosion that leveled a 40 square block area. The number of men wearing pony tails and one earring and the number of