Social Change and Collective Behavior Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is social change?

A transformation of a culture over time (correct)

A cultural norm

A fixed behavior in society

A static culture

What does collective behavior refer to?

Behavior that follows from the formation of a group or crowd of people who take action together towards a shared goal.

What is contagion theory?

One of the earlier theories of collective action; suggested that individuals who joined a crowd or mob became 'infected' by a mob mentality and lost the ability to reason.

What does emergent norm theory suggest?

Individual members of a crowd make their own decisions about behavior, and that norms are created through others' acceptance or rejection of these behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Define a crowd in sociological terms.

A temporary gathering of individuals, whether spontaneous or planned, who share a common focus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a riot?

Continuous behavior by a group of people that disturbs the peace and is directed towards people and/or property. Signup and view all the answers

What does mass behavior entail?

Large groups of people engaging in similar behaviors without necessarily being in the same place. Signup and view all the answers

What are fads?

Interests or practices followed enthusiastically for a relatively short period of time. Signup and view all the answers

Define fashion in a social context.

The widespread custom or style of behavior and appearance at a particular time or in a particular place. Signup and view all the answers

What is a social dilemma?

A situation in which behavior that is rational for the individual can, when practiced by many people, lead to collective disaster. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tragedy of the commons?

A particular type of social dilemma in which many individuals' over-exploitation of a public resource depletes or degrades that resource. Signup and view all the answers

Define public goods dilemma.

A type of social dilemma in which individuals must incur a cost to contribute to a collective resource, though they might not benefit from that resource. Signup and view all the answers

What is a social movement?

Any social group with leadership, organization, and an ideological commitment to promote or resist social change. Signup and view all the answers

What is mass society theory?

A theory of social movements that assumes people join social movements not because of the movements' ideals, but to satisfy a psychological need to belong to something larger than themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What does relative deprivation theory focus on?

The actions of oppressed groups who seek rights or opportunities already enjoyed by others in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is resource mobilization theory?

A theory of social movements that focuses on the practical constraints that help or hinder social movements' action. Signup and view all the answers

Define activism.

Any activity intended to bring about social change. Signup and view all the answers

What does regressive mean in relation to social change?

Describing resistance to particular social change, efforts to maintain the status quo, or attempts to re-establish an earlier form of social order. Signup and view all the answers

What does progressive mean in terms of social change?

Describing efforts to promote forward-thinking social change. Signup and view all the answers

What is technological determinism?

A theory of social change in which technology drives changes in society, rather than vice versa. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural lag?

The time between changes in material culture or technology and the resulting changes in the broader culture's relevant norms, values, meanings, and laws. Signup and view all the answers

Define virtual community.

A community of people linked by a consumption of the same electronic media. Signup and view all the answers

What is the global village concept?

Marshall McLuhan's term describing the way that new communication technologies override barriers of space and time, allowing people all over the globe to interact. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural diffusion?

The spread of material and non-material culture to new cultural groups regardless of the movement of people. Signup and view all the answers

What does globalization refer to?

The increasing connections between economic, social, and political systems all over the globe. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural imperialism?

Cultural influence caused by adopting another culture's products rather than imposed by military force. Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural leveling mean?

The process by which societies lose their uniqueness, becoming increasingly similar. Signup and view all the answers

What is modernity?

A term encompassing the forms of social organization that characterize industrialized societies, including the decline of tradition, an increase in individualism, and a belief in progress, technology, and science. Signup and view all the answers

What does postmodernity refer to?

A term encompassing the forms of social organization characteristic of post-industrial societies, including a focus on the production and management of information, and skepticism of science and technology. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social Change: Transformation of culture over time, affecting norms, values, and behaviors.
Collective Behavior: Actions taken by a group united by a common goal, arising in crowds or groups.

Theories of Collective Action

Contagion Theory: Suggests individuals in a mob lose rational thinking, becoming "infected" by group mentality.
Emergent Norm Theory: Individuals make personal behavioral decisions, leading to norms based on collective acceptance.

Types of Group Dynamics

Crowd: Temporary gatherings with shared focus, whether spontaneous or pre-planned.
Riot: Sustained disruptive behavior targeting people and property, indicating social unrest.

Mass Behavior and Cultural Trends

Mass Behavior: Similar behaviors exhibited by large groups, not necessarily in the same location.
Fads: Short-lived interests or activities that gain enthusiastic followings briefly.
Fashion: Dominant styles or customs in behavior and appearance relevant to a specific time or place.

Social Dilemma: Situations where rational individual actions can lead to collective negative outcomes.
Tragedy of the Commons: Overuse of shared resources leading to depletion or degradation.
Public Goods Dilemma: Cost incurred by individuals to contribute to a collective resource, often with no direct benefit.

Social Movement: Organized groups aiming for social change with leadership and ideological commitment.
Mass Society Theory: Suggests individuals join movements to fulfill psychological needs rather than movement ideals.
Relative Deprivation Theory: Focus on the oppressed groups fighting for rights or opportunities enjoyed by others.
Resource Mobilization Theory: Examines practical factors that facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of social movements.

Activism: Activities aimed at instigating or advocating for social change.
Regressive and Progressive Change:
- Regressive: Resistance to change, aiming to maintain the status quo.
- Progressive: Efforts to promote innovative and forward-thinking social transformations.

Technology and Cultural Dynamics

Technological Determinism: Theory that societal changes are driven by technological advancements, not the other way around.
Cultural Lag: Delay between technological development and changes in cultural norms and values.

Community and Global Influences

Virtual Community: Groups formed around shared interests in electronic media.
Global Village: Concept by Marshall McLuhan indicating that new tech enables global interaction despite spatial and temporal barriers.
Cultural Diffusion: Spread of cultural elements without the need for physical migration.
Globalization: Increasing interconnectedness of economic, social, and political systems across the globe.
Cultural Imperialism: Adoption of cultural elements from one group by another, influencing lifestyles without military force.
Cultural Leveling: Process where unique cultural practices diminish, leading to greater similarity across societies.

Modernity: Characteristics of industrialized societies, highlighting individualism, decline of tradition, and belief in progress and technology.
Postmodernity: Features of post-industrial societies, focusing on information production and management, along with skepticism toward established norms regarding science and technology.

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Description

Test your knowledge on social change and collective behavior with this quiz. Explore theories like Contagion Theory and Emergent Norm Theory, as well as various types of group dynamics. Understand how mass behavior and cultural trends shape societies.