Theories of Collective Behavior

Theories of collective behavior explore how and why groups of people act together in ways that differ from individual behavior. They suggest that such actions often happen in situations of uncertainty or crisis, where traditional norms are unclear or breaking down. Factors like social influence, shared emotions, or the presence of a crowd can trigger collective actions like protests, riots, or fads. These theories help us understand how group settings and collective emotions drive behaviors that are spontaneous, temporary, and sometimes unpredictable, emphasizing the importance of social context in influencing group dynamics.