Emergence (sociological theory)

Emergence in sociological theory refers to how complex social patterns, behaviors, and institutions arise from the interactions of individuals and groups. It suggests that society is more than just the sum of its parts; new properties and structures develop unexpectedly through these interactions. For example, social norms or cultural trends emerge not from a central authority, but from many people acting and reacting in ways that create larger patterns. This concept highlights how collective phenomena can be unpredictable and cannot be fully explained by analyzing individual actions alone.