SOCC03H3 Lecture Notes - Kim Kardashian, Paparazzi, Collective Behavior
Document Summary
Lecture eight: rumor and gossip [october 30, 2013] Gossip and rumor is a central part of social life, we all participate. Almost all collective behavior to an extent would include gossip; rumor/gossip is ubiquitous, a sort of side effect. Why is it collective behavior: it"s mostly uninstitutionalized, generally spontaneous, generally unstructured, and can involve usually a large number of people, it used to be that gossip and rumor depended on face-to-face communication, writing or newsletter. But now you can have it in crowds and publics. Acting crowds are pretty prominent with this: public is common also, due to the way we use internet and such now. Both rumor and gossip can be both positive and negative. Transmission of stories, modes of transmission that have to do with knowledge and story telling. Gossip and rumor is the grease of social relations, inherent in all social life/communication. Importance or involvement: relevant to a person"s life or subjective importance.
