Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a primary effect of increasing political polarization?
What is a primary effect of increasing political polarization?
Which best describes social change?
Which best describes social change?
How does the Symbolic Interactionist perspective view social movements?
How does the Symbolic Interactionist perspective view social movements?
What can lead to the dissolution of a social movement?
What can lead to the dissolution of a social movement?
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What is an example of a positive social change initiative?
What is an example of a positive social change initiative?
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What is collective behavior?
What is collective behavior?
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Which of the following is NOT a form of activism?
Which of the following is NOT a form of activism?
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What is a characteristic of institutionalized social movements?
What is a characteristic of institutionalized social movements?
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What was a key characteristic of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
What was a key characteristic of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
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How does the Value-Added Theory explain the occurrence of collective behavior?
How does the Value-Added Theory explain the occurrence of collective behavior?
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Which condition for collective behavior is illustrated by the protests following the shooting of Michael Brown?
Which condition for collective behavior is illustrated by the protests following the shooting of Michael Brown?
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What does 'Emergent Norm Theory' explain in the context of crowds?
What does 'Emergent Norm Theory' explain in the context of crowds?
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What is the primary focus of local social movements?
What is the primary focus of local social movements?
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What was one of the outcomes of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
What was one of the outcomes of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
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Which of the following best describes the global Fair Trade movement?
Which of the following best describes the global Fair Trade movement?
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What role do precipitating factors play in collective behavior?
What role do precipitating factors play in collective behavior?
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In the context of social movements, what is the significance of structural conduciveness?
In the context of social movements, what is the significance of structural conduciveness?
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How did the protests surrounding the Cooper Union tuition increase reflect local activism?
How did the protests surrounding the Cooper Union tuition increase reflect local activism?
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Which aspect of social change involves efforts to create specific reforms within existing structures?
Which aspect of social change involves efforts to create specific reforms within existing structures?
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What often escalates tensions during collective behavior according to social control?
What often escalates tensions during collective behavior according to social control?
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What defines a mass social movement?
What defines a mass social movement?
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What is the primary goal of revolutionary movements?
What is the primary goal of revolutionary movements?
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Which stage of social movements focuses on gaining awareness and leader emergence?
Which stage of social movements focuses on gaining awareness and leader emergence?
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Which factor contributed to the generalized belief in the Ferguson protests?
Which factor contributed to the generalized belief in the Ferguson protests?
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Which type of movement focuses predominantly on individual behavior and self-improvement?
Which type of movement focuses predominantly on individual behavior and self-improvement?
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What do diagnostic frames do in social movements?
What do diagnostic frames do in social movements?
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Which movement exemplifies Resource Mobilization Theory by leveraging multiple resources for its goals?
Which movement exemplifies Resource Mobilization Theory by leveraging multiple resources for its goals?
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What characteristic is most associated with resistance movements?
What characteristic is most associated with resistance movements?
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Which of the following processes involves connecting groups with similar interests?
Which of the following processes involves connecting groups with similar interests?
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In what way has social media impacted modern social movements?
In what way has social media impacted modern social movements?
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Which theory emphasizes the importance of resource availability in the success of social movements?
Which theory emphasizes the importance of resource availability in the success of social movements?
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What is the focus of new social movement theory?
What is the focus of new social movement theory?
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What is a significant function of strong-tie activism?
What is a significant function of strong-tie activism?
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Which movement is known for using social media to highlight economic disparity?
Which movement is known for using social media to highlight economic disparity?
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What does the concept of 'cultural lag' refer to in social movements?
What does the concept of 'cultural lag' refer to in social movements?
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Which of these options is not a characteristic of alternative movements?
Which of these options is not a characteristic of alternative movements?
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Which of the following movements is associated with advocating for environmental concerns and critiques of patriarchy?
Which of the following movements is associated with advocating for environmental concerns and critiques of patriarchy?
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Study Notes
Political Polarization
- Polarization intensifies hostility between opposing political parties.
- Symbolic Interactionists view polarization as creating a perception of disagreement on all issues between opposing parties.
- Increasing polarization creates a climate of anger and misrepresentation, further dividing society.
Social Change and Collective Behavior
- Social change is a constant, natural aspect of societal evolution.
- Collective behavior is a patterned group response to unexpected events or disruptions.
- An example of collective behavior is a group's response to an unexpected blockage of an exit.
Social Movements
- A social movement is an organized effort to bring about or resist social change.
- Social movements are potent agents of social change.
- Participants in a social movement develop shared identity, strengthening solidarity and commitment.
- Successful social movements can become institutionalized, continuing even after key figures step away as long as goals remain relevant.
- A movement dissolves when participants collectively determine their goals are no longer pertinent.
Dolly Parton's Book Program (Positive Social Change Example)
- The Imagination Library provides free books monthly to children from birth to age 5.
- This program promotes early childhood literacy illustrating how individual action can inspire larger social movements improving child development and education.
Activism Examples (Figure 21.1)
- Activism manifests in diverse forms including marches, clashes, social media activity, and silent protests.
- The 2016 protest against Guantanamo Bay Prison conditions exemplifies this, showcasing activists wearing prison garb.
Collective Behavior (21.1)
- Iconic examples of social movements include the Boston Tea Party, the March on Washington (1963), and the Tiananmen Square standoff.
- Violent visuals are associated with some movements, such as the Watts riots and clashes between protesters and police.
- Everyday activism includes organizing, volunteering, donating, writing articles, and speaking at meetings.
Occupy Wall Street (OWS)
- OWS was a leaderless movement without a singular message, arising from post-2008 financial meltdowns and the Arab Spring uprisings.
- Protesters camped in Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011, with a focus on "process as message."
- OWS highlighted immense wealth disparity: top 1% of earners retained 58% of economic growth since 1980s. CEOs in 2011 earned 350 times more than average workers.
- The 2008 bailout showcased financial institution accountability failures. The government invested $700 Billion in bailing out financial institutions, amidst executive bonuses.
- While highlighting inequality and accountability, OWS achieved minimal long-term systemic change.
Forms of Collective Behavior (21.2)
- Crowds include gatherings ranging from casual (e.g., concerts) to acting (e.g., protests); they're characterized by physical proximity.
- Masses encompass large, interest-based groups, often not physically proximate (online communities).
- Publics are diffused groups sharing ideas (e.g., Libertarian Party).
- Emergent Norm Theory explains how crowd behavior norms develop through individual perceptions and group interactions, using examples like perceptions of "looting" during Hurricane Katrina.
- The Value-Added Theory identifies conditions for escalation of collective behavior.
Six Conditions for Collective Behavior
- Structural Conduciveness: The environment must facilitate collective action. (e.g., public spaces for gatherings)
- Structural Strain: Societal tensions arise when expectations are unmet. (e.g., perceived injustice in Ferguson.)
- Generalized Belief: A shared understanding emerges, uniting individuals. (e.g., belief in broader racial injustice in Ferguson.)
- Precipitating Factors: Events trigger immediate action. (e.g., shooting of Michael Brown)
- Mobilization for Action: Leaders direct the collective behavior. (e.g., activist organization in Ferguson.)
- Social Control: Authorities manage or suppress collective behavior. (e.g., police response in Ferguson, often escalating rather than de-escalating tensions.)
Social Change (21.3)
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Levels of Social Movements:
- Local: Addressing community/institutional issues (e.g., 2012 Cooper Union tuition protests).
- State: Focus on state-level issues (e.g., Texas secession movement, RFRA laws).
- Global: Addressing transnational concerns (e.g., Fair Trade movement, Occupy Wall Street's worldwide spread).
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Types of Social Movements (Aberle's Classification):
- Reform Movements: Specific changes within existing structures (e.g., MADD).
- Revolutionary Movements: Complete societal transformation (e.g., proposed Texas secession).
- Religious/Redemptive Movements: Inner change, often tied to spiritual goals (e.g., Branch Davidians).
- Alternative Movements: Limited changes to individual behaviors/lifestyles (e.g., macrobiotic diet).
- Resistance Movements: Opposing social change (e.g., KKK).
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Stages of Social Movements:
- Preliminary: Awareness, leader emergence
- Coalescence: Organization, publicizing
- Institutionalization: Established organization
- Decline: Movement fades or transforms
Social Media in Movements
- Social media significantly accelerates awareness, enhances organization, and provides rapid feedback in modern movements.
- Hashtags like #MeToo and #BLM, and Obama's 2008 campaign are examples.
- Social media facilitates strong/weak ties among participants, raising funds.
Theories of Social Movements
- Resource Mobilization Theory: Success relies on accessible resources (time, funding, organization). The Civil Rights Movement is an example.
- Framing/Frame Analysis: Social movements use frames (diagnostic, prognostic, motivational) to define the issue and motivate action by alignment with existing supporter values.
- New Social Movement Theory: Postmodern/postindustrial issues, identity, culture, and global politics are central.
Forces Driving Social Change
- Technology: Globalization (Internet, railroads), cultural lag, privacy issues (cyberbullying).
- Social Institutions: Changes in one institution impact others (e.g., industrialization).
- Population: Aging populations require adjustments.
- Environment: Natural disasters amplify inequalities.
Key Examples
- Occupy Wall Street: Highlighted disparity and system issues, leveraging social media.
- Black Lives Matter: Decentralized movement arising from a hashtag.
Key Theories/Concepts
- Cultural Lag: Technology's faster pace than societal adaptation.
- Strong/Weak Ties: Strong ties maintain engagement; weak ties broaden outreach.
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Description
This quiz examines the concepts of political polarization, social change, and collective behavior. It explores how political divisions shape societal dynamics and the role of social movements as agents of change. Test your understanding of how these elements interact within society.
