Chapter 18

Social Change andCollective Behavior

Chapter Outline Using the Sociological Imagination Social Change Sources of Social Change Theoretical Perspectives

Chapter Outline Modernization Collective Behavior Dispersed Collectivities Crowds Social Movements

Tocqueville’s Key Assumptions in Predicting Social Change

Major social institutions would continue to exist.

Human nature would remain the same.

Equality and the trend toward centralized government would continue.

Tocqueville’s Key Assumptions in Predicting Social Change

The availability of material resources limits social change.

Change is affected by the past, but history does not strictly dictate the future.

There are no social forces aside from uman actions.

Processes for Change Three interrelated social processes

lead to social change: Discovery Invention Diffusion

Computers Connected to the Internet (per 100,000 people)

Years for 30% of Americans to Acquire Technologies

Defining Elements of Asocial Movement

1. A large number of people2. A common goal to promote or

prevent social change.3. Some degree of leadership and

organization.4. Activity sustained over a relatively

long period of time.

Theoretical Perspectives: Social Change

Theoretical Perspective Concept Example

Functionalism Equilibrium

The nature of the presidency has continuity, despite scandals in the Nixon and Clinton administrations.

Theoretical Perspectives: Social Change

Theoretical Perspective Concept Example

Symbolic Interactionism

Urbanism A smaller proportion of social interaction in a large city is based on shared meanings.

Theoretical Perspectives: Social Change

Theoretical Perspective Concept Example

Conflict theory

Interest group

Civil rights laws were enacted in the 1960s as a result of the struggle over racial equality.

The J-Curve Theory of Revolution

Hot Buttons for College Activists

Year Hot Topics

1960s Vietnam warCivil rights

1970s Clean air and clean waterFemale empowerment

1980s International human rightsEndangered speciesSexual assault

Hot Buttons for College Activists

Year Hot Topics

1990s Gay rightsSweatshop laborLegalization of marijuana

New Millennium

Globalization and corporatedominanceImmigration

Major Forms of Collective Behavior

Form Example

Rumor The prediction that airplanes would crash on a massive scale on January 1, 2000

Urban legend

Fierce alligators in New York City’s sewer system

Fad Swing dancing

Fashion Wearing Nike shoes.

Major Forms of Collective Behavior

Form Example

Crowd New Year’s celebrants at Times Square in New York City

Mob Lynch mob

Riot Behavior following the acquittal of police officers who were filmed using extreme force against Rodney King

Social movement

Civil rights movement