Blumer's taxonomy of collective behavior

Blumer's taxonomy of collective behavior categorizes how groups act outside normal societal norms, based on their emotional intensity and organization. It includes six types: (1) acting crowds, driven by strong emotions and short-lived; (2) social groups, with more organized and sustained interactions; (3) expressive crowds, focused on emotional expression; (4) cautious crowds, acting more thoughtfully; (5) mass hysteria, where many share irrational fears; and (6) rumors and fads, rapid spread of beliefs or fashions. This framework helps understand different collective phenomena, from protests to panics, by analyzing their emotional and structural characteristics.