Collective Behavior and Social Movements

• In 1965, a California policeman made a routine arrest of a drunk driver in an area near Los Angeles called Watts. As the crowd grew, word began to spread that the arrest was racially motivated. Rioting soon broke out and lasted for several days resulting in 34 deaths and 1,000 injuries. 200 buildings were burned to the ground. This is an example of Collective Behavior. Can you think of another example of this in the United States or elsewhere in the world?

Do Now:

What is Collective Behavior?• Social behavior is usually

predictable – sticks to accepted norms

• When situations are unclear, people make up norms as they go

• Collective Behavior is the spontaneous social behavior that occurs when people try to develop common solutions to uncommon problems.

What are some Types of Collective Behavior?

• Lynch mobs• Fads• Panics• Rumors• Fashion• iPhones