Collective Behaviour Theories

What is Collective Behaviour?

Social behaviour by a large group that does not reflect existing rules, institutions, and structures of society

Groups engage in this kind of behaviour to accomplish a specific goal or outcome

Collective behaviour is spontaneous, usually in response to a social crisis or natural disaster

Panic is an example of collective behaviour Irrational reaction of people to a dangerous situation

Convergence Theory

Assumes that when a large group of like-minded individuals comes together, collective action is the most common outcome

Individuals behave according to their own beliefs but do so with the protection of others behaving in the same manner

Explains why riots and racial violence occur May be part of the same social class, ethnicity, gender, or age

group Find it easy to act out because their frustrations are the same When the collective gains momentum and popularity, the

origins become unclear or distorted Ex: Nazi Germany

Rational Decision Theory

Assumes that people make rational decisions whether or not to participate in collective behaviour

The motivating factor for the individual is almost always based on self-interest

Individuals have a specific number or percentage of other people who must already be engaged in the group before they will join Individual’s “threshold”

Individuals tend to favour larger and more organized groupsWhen these conditions are met, the individual is more likely

to participate in collective behaviour There is also the sense of not being held responsible because everyone

else is taking part in the activity The lack of consequence can also be a strong motivator for people to

follow a group mentality

Prosocial Behaviour

Not all collective behaviour is negativeIt can also be used to explain acts of

kindness, generosity, and altruism Prosocial behaviour is a form of altruism in

which individuals demonstrate empathy toward and care for the welfare of others without regard for their own personal gain

Mobs

Sometimes collective behaviour can be threatening

The law enforcement perspective is that any group has the potential to become a dangerous and angry group

A mob is a large disorderly crowd that can lead to a riot