Transcript Chapter 16 Collective behavior, social movements, and social change

Chapter 20
Collective Behavior, Social
Movements, and Social Change
Key Terms

social change
Alteration, modification or transformation of
public policy, culture, or social institutions over
time.

collective behavior
Relatively spontaneous, unstructured activity
that typically violates established social norms.

crowd
A relatively large number of people who are in
one another's immediate presence.

mass
A number of people who share an interest in a
specific idea or issue but who are not in one
another's immediate physical vicinity.

mob
A highly emotional crowd whose members
engage in, or are ready to engage in, violence
against a specific target.

riot
Violent crowd behavior fueled by deep-seated
emotions but not directed at a specific target.

panic
A form of crowd behavior that occurs when a
large number of people react with strong
emotions and self-destructive behavior to a
real or perceived threat.

civil disobedience
Nonviolent action that seeks to change a policy
or law by refusing to comply with it.

mass behavior
Collective behavior that takes place when
people respond to the same event in much the
same way.

rumors
Unsubstantiated reports on an issue or subject.

gossip
Rumors about the personal lives of individuals.

propaganda
Information provided by individuals or groups
that have a vested interest in furthering their
cause or damaging an opposing one.

social movement
An organized group that acts consciously to
promote or resist change through collective
action.

environmental racism
Belief that a disproportionate number of
hazardous facilities are placed in low-income
areas populated primarily by people of color.

public opinion
Consists of the attitudes and beliefs
communicated by ordinary citizens to decision
makers.