The effect of Collective behavior in Society

In chapter 24 of our sociology text book focuses on Collective Behavior and Social Movements. Throughout this chapter it distinguishes all the various types of collective behavior that exist, identifies the types of crowds, and explanations of crowd behavior. Such social movements such as mobs and riots are discussed in this chapter and the effect it has on social change. Collective behavior is the activity involving a large number of people that is unplanned, often controversial, and sometimes dangerous. Mobs and riots occur very frequently in todays society for many reasons. This is when an acting crowd turns violent and result may be the birth of a mob; which is a highly emotional crowd that pursues a violent or destructive goal. Riots are a social eruption that is highly emotional, violent, and undirected. These acts and events are very dangerous and can have the end result of death to many innocent people. In the United States the most common example of a mob act is what is called "Lynching". When mobs want to "Lynch" someone they simply just torture them before death.

This semester in class Professor Weffer has lectured on Social Movements and gave great examples of numerous types. For example, He talked to us about the riots and protests of abortion that has occurred and the impacts it had. I think this is very important to real life and today because it is happening to females that have unwanted pregnancies. The thought of abortion may be lingering as an option out of that situation, and that's a big thing to consider that has brought great controversy. Another example of a mob or riot that has occurred recently is the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing which was such a tragedy to many people and their families. Like I mentioned these acts and events can be very dangerous if they take place. Some of the most common riots you see are involved with sports now a days. You see this all the time after Playoffs and Championship, people decide to rally up and gloat or even rally out anger.

In conclusion this is a big part and role that takes place in today's society. Whether if its in a positive way or negative these events still take place. When its in a negative way its very unfortunate for the people involved but I think that when its in a positive way we can benefit from them as a whole. Once again Collective behavior is activity involving a large number of people that is unplanned, often controversial, and sometimes dangerous. Its important to know about Social Movements because they are all around us and can sometimes have a positive outcome if done for the right reasons.


- https://www.boundless.com/sociology/understanding-social-change/social-change-and-collective-behavior/social-change/
- http://find.galegroup.com/gic/infomark.do?contentSet=EBKS&docType=EBKS.Article&idigest=fb720fd31d9036c1ed2d1f3a0500fcc2&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GIC&docId=CX3404400057&userGroupName=itsbtrial&version=1.0&searchType=BasicSearchForm&source=gale%20%20