Exam 16: Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change.

State the key assumptions of the social construction theory: frame analysis.

Sociologist __________ suggested a classic "trickle-down" theory to describe the process by which members of the lower classes emulate the fashions of the upper class.

Describe social movements and note when and where they are most likely to develop.

__________ is an organized group that acts consciously to promote or resist change through collective action. It differs from collective behavior because it tends to be longer lasting, is more organized, and has specific goals or purposes.

Public opinion consists of the attitudes and beliefs communicated by ordinary citizens to decision makers. It is measured through polls and surveys, which use research methods such as interviews and questionnaires.

Explain the new social movement theory.

A fad is defined as a currently valued style of behavior, thinking, or appearance. Unlike fashions, fads tend to be longer lasting. A fashion is a temporary but widely copied activity enthusiastically followed by large numbers of people.

__________ crowds are collectivities so intensely focused on a specific purpose or object that they may erupt into violent or destructive behavior.

A classic example of mass hysteria with a widely dispersed audience was actor Orson Welles's 1938 radio dramatization of H.G. Wells's science fiction classic "The War of the Worlds."

At this stage, leaders emerge to organize others and give them a sense of direction. This represents sociologist Neal Smelser's value-added theory condition of __________.

A(n) __________ is violent crowd behavior that is fueled by deep-seated emotions but not directed at one specific target.

Identify and describe casual, conventional, expressive, acting, and protest crowds.

Students gathered at a college lecture are an example of a(n) ___________ crowd. The event has a preestablished schedule and norms. Because it occurs regularly, interaction among participants is much more likely; in turn, the events would not occur without the crowd, which is essential to the event.

According to sociologist John Lofland, the __________ refers to the "publicly expressed feeling perceived by participants and observers as the most prominent in an episode of collective behavior."

Unlike the __________ behavior that is found in corporations and voluntary associations (such as labor unions), collective behavior lacks an official division of labor, hierarchy of authority, and established rules and procedures.

As the masses attempt to influence elites and vice versa, a two-way process occurs with the dissemination of __________ ,which is information provided by individuals or groups that have a vested interest in furthering their own cause or damaging an opposing one.

__________ refers to unsubstantiated reports on an issue or subject.

Summarize the key elements of these four explanations of collective behavior: contagion theory, social unrest and circular reaction, convergence theory, and emergent norm theory.

When sociologist Kai Erikson pointed out that people face a "new species of trouble," he was referring to __________.

__________ theory takes into account the complexity of social movements and makes it possible to test assertions regarding the necessary and sufficient conditions that produce such movements.