SOCC03H3 Lecture Notes - Collective Behavior, Herbert Blumer, Japan Standard Time
Document Summary
Theory is an explanation for a general class of phenomena. It is how people in collectivities come to behave uniformly, intensely, and at variance with their usual patterns. In a collectivity, mechanisms such as imitation, suggestion and emtl contagion operate in addition to anonymity and restricted attention which neutralize ordinary behavior anchorages. Collective behavior is contagious like a disease. During presence of others, excitement is created and cb is caused due to emotional, irrational and often violent nature. Herbert blumer- mechanisms of social contagion, how a mood of collective excitement is spread in a form of social interaction he calls a circular reaction. When state of individual restlessness becomes communicated with others that it becomes contagious and generates a state of general social unrest. Social unrest is marked by 3 basic characteristics. Ppl gripped byit have urge to act but are unsure of what is they seek.