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

Applying convergence theory in his study of a lynch mob, social psychologist Hadley Cantril found that __________.

A common stimulus is an important factor in collective behavior.

Social movements are more likely to develop in industrial societies than in preindustrialized societies. ​

Discuss the conditions under which social movements are most likely to emerge, and explain the stages in the development of social movements.

Movements that seek to produce radical change in individuals and are based on spiritual or supernatural belief systems are called __________.

Define mass behavior; describe the most frequent types of this behavior.

Emergent norm theory is rooted in the __________ perspective.

Define social movements as a form of collective behavior, and explain the conditions under which they are most likely to emerge.

A(n) __________ is a highly emotional crowd whose members engage in, or are ready to engage in, violence against a specific target (such as a person, a category of people, or physical property).

Tabloid newspapers and magazines such as the National Enquirer and People, and television entertainment "news" programs that present "inside" information on the lives of celebrities, are sources of contemporary __________.

__________ movements seek limited change in some aspect of people's behavior.

__________ movements seek to prevent change or to undo change that has already occurred.

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

When a society or community is unable to meet people's expectations that something should be done about a problem, tension occurs in the system. This is the condition of __________ within Smelser's value-added theory.

Environmental justice and ecofeminism are examples of __________.

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

In the __________ stage of a social movement, widespread unrest is present as people become aware of a problem. At this stage, leaders emerge to agitate others into taking action.

When officials counter a rumor with authentic information, this only serves to strengthen belief in the original rumor.

In the __________ stage of a social movement, an organizational structure develops, and a paid staff (rather than volunteers) begins to lead the group.

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