What is collective behavior, and what factors contribute to it?
What is collective behavior, and what factors contribute to it?
Franklin Henry Giddings introduced the term collective behavior. It was later popularized by several theorists, including Robert Park, Herbert Blumer, Neil Smelser, etc.
Collective behavior refers to a social process that involves interaction among a group of people. This type of interaction is not controlled or regulated by any institution. Collective behavior is generally spontaneous and short-lived in nature.
Several factors lead to the emergence of collective behavior. Firstly, collective behavior emerges when individuals or groups lose their faith in the social system. They defy the existing system of law and order and start taking decisions themselves. People lose their faith in society when the social order is not fair and just.
Collective behavior also emerges when people feel monotony in their daily lives. Collective behavior is built within an individual's culture for situations like this. These cultural elements allow these individuals to escape from the monotony of their daily lives. For example- marriage ceremonies and other celebrations.
Collective behavior often emerges when people feel anxious or insecure about certain social issues, and social institutions are not functional enough.
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