Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

Crowds Crowds are temporary groups of people who are in close proximity to one another and who havea common focus. In general, crowds are unstable and have little structure and few, if any, elaborate goals or plans. Crowds operate with a sense of urgency and are unable to support themselves for long. Most collective behaviors occur in crowds. The different types of crowds include: • Casual crowd: A loosely structured, usually passive group with little emotional interaction. Members enter and leave at will. o Example: Bystanders who witness an altercation on the street. • Conventional crowd: More structured with more predictable behavior. Members choose to be a part. o Example: Concert-goers • Expressive crowd: Structured around a celebration or event and allows expressive emotions. o Example: Concert-goers, sporting event attendees • Solidaristic crowds: Members have a strong sense of unity or agreement. o Example: Political party rally • Acting crowds: An expressive crowd turned angry and hostile. o Two types of acting crowds:  Mobs: Threatens violence or is violent toward a single target. Mobs usually have a leader and at least a minimum amount of structure.  Riots: Violent and angry toward multiple, changing, targets and includes looting, property damage, and assault. Riots usually include members of groups who have been discriminated against. Mass Behavior While crowds are physically close and able to affect each other directly, mass behavior is awidely dispersed crowd that does not have face-to-face contact but who still influences oneanother indirectly through common sources of information. Mass behavior doesn’t have to be negative or unpleasant. There are several types: • Fashion: A temporarily popular style of dress or behavior that departs fromwhat iscustomary. Fashion is often seen as a status symbol. • Fad: A temporary fascination followed by a large number of people. Fads can be either object, idea, activity, or personality-based. • Craze: An intense fad that leaves lasting consequences and becomes part of the culture when it ends. • Panic: A collective behavior of those facing an incoming threat; fear, spontaneity, and lack of coordination are hallmarks of panic actions. Cooperative social relationships break down causing more fear and danger. • Mass hysteria: a widespread anxiety that is caused by an irrational belief and results in irrational behavior. This hysteria can be contained in one community, or it can involve a larger part of society. When the perceived threat is proven non-existent, the hysteria subsides.

©2018

Achieve Test Prep

Page 141

of 172

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker