Sociology 201 ch 18 – Flashcards

Collective action is action that takes place in groups and diverges from the social norms of the situation.

Crowd collective action takes place when members of a group are face-to-face; mass collective action is collective action in which close physical proximity is not necessary such as a letter writing campaign.

-According to convergence theory, collective action happens when people with similar ideas and tendencies gather in the same place. This theory does not explain the inconsistency of group action—why collective action sometimes happens under such circumstances and other times does not. (theory of collective action stating that collective action happens when people with similar ideas and tendencies gather in the same place.) -According to contagion theory, collective action arises because of people's tendency to conform to the behavior of others. This theory downplays individual agency and does not explain the inconsistency of group action. (theory of collective action claiming that collective action arises because of people's tendency to conform to the behavior of others with whom they are in close contact.) -Emergent norm theory emphasizes the influence of leaders in promoting particular norms that members of a group then follow. This theory doesn't explain why particular people become leaders or why some actions emerge as norms within a group and others don't. (theory of collective action emphasizing the influence of keynoters in promoting particular norms.)

In order to explain who we are as individuals, we tend to talk about different groups of which we are a part. What makes each of us unique is the particular combination of groups with which we identify.

A static identity is an aspect of your identity (such as race) that doesn't change and that determines at least one group to which you belong; a dynamic identity is an aspect of your identity that is more fluid (such as working as a lifeguard for one summer) and that is determined by a group to which you belong.

-A social movement is collective behavior that is purposeful, organized, and institutionalized but not ritualized. -Alterative social movements seek limited social change and tend to be focused on a narrow group of people -redemptive : social movements are also focused on a narrow group of people, but they advocate for more radical change; -reformative social movements : advocate for limited social change but seek to affect that change across an entire society; -revolutionary social movements (social movements that advocate the radical reorganization of society.) seek to make radical change across an entire society.

-The classical model of social movements proposes that social movements come about as a collective response to structural weaknesses in society that have a psychological effect on individuals. (model of social movements based on a concept of structural weakness in society that results in the psychological disruption of individuals.) -Resource-mobilization theory recognizes the importance of political context and goals in the development of social movements but also emphasizes that social movements are unlikely to emerge without the necessary resources. (model of social movements that emphasizes political context and goals but also states that social movements are unlikely to emerge without the necessary resources.) -The political process model of social movements proposes that a social movement's chances of developing are heavily influenced by three sets of conditions—expanding political opportunities, indigenous organizational strength, and certain shared cognitions among the movement's proponents. (model of social movements that focuses on the structure of political opportunities. When these are favorable to a particular challenger, the chances are better for the success of a social movement led by this challenger.)

Social movements generally evolve through three stages—emergence (the social problem being addressed is first identified)(the first stage of a social movement, occurring when the social problem being addressed is first identified.), coalescence (resources are mobilized and concrete action is taken to address the problem)(the second stage of a social movement, in which resources are mobilized (that is, concrete action is taken) around the problems outlined in the first stage.), and routinization (a formal structure develops to promote the cause)(the final stage of a social movement, in which it is institutionalized and a formal structure develops to promote the cause.).

A social movement organization (SMO) is a group developed to recruit new members and coordinate participation in a particular social movement. (a group developed to recruit new members and coordinate participation in a particular social movement; SMOs also often raise money, clarify goals, and structure participation in the movement.)

A professional movement organization is a type of SMO that has full-time leadership and a large membership base that plays a minor role in the organization; a participatory movement organization is a type of SMO that directly involves its rank-and-file members in decisions and activities to support the organization's cause.

There are two types of participatory movement organizations: mass protest organizations advocate for social change through protest and demonstration; grassroots organizations tend to work through existing political structures to promote social change (a type of social movement organization that relies on high levels of community-based membership participation to promote social change. It lacks a hierarchical structure and works through existing political structures.).

Americans have traditionally had high participation levels in voluntary associations and there are various theories about why this is the case. However, there is some evidence that volunteerism is on the decline in the United States, and one possible explanation is the influence of the Internet. People can join groups online and donate money online to support causes without participating in any face-to-face meetings or activities.

Not all social change is produced by social movements—economic and political factors have a great deal to do with the evolution of society.

Social changes are not valued in the same way by all people—what is of major importance to one group may barely register for another group—and they do not affect all people in the same way.

Premodernity is social organization characterized by concentric circles of social affiliation, a low degree of division of labor, relatively undeveloped technology, and traditional social norms.

Modernity is social organization characterized by rationality, bureaucratization, and objectivity in which individuals are defined by overlapping group affiliations.

The transition from premodernity to modernity is linked to the expansion of scientific knowledge to the development of new technologies and political structures and to the notion of progress.

Postmodernity is in many ways a reaction against modernity. It is characterized by a questioning of the notions of progress and history; it rejects the idea of a single narrative and embraces multiculturalism; and it perceives the individual as having multiple, conflicting identities. (social relations characterized by a questioning of the notion of progress and history, the replacement of narrative with pastiche, and multiple, perhaps even conflicting, identities resulting from disjointed affiliations.)

Social change can be caused by factors other than social movements, such as technological innovation, new information and ideas, and conflict between social actors.

In addition to providing a way for participants in social movements to connect, exchange information, and generally make their voices heard, the Internet has itself become a forum for radical social protest activities such as virtual sit-ins that jam Web servers and online impersonation. The primary achievement of such protests is to draw media attention to a particular issue or cause. Ironically, perhaps the greatest sign that a social movement has been successful is when there is no longer a need for it because it has achieved its goal.

People may actually be joining more organizations, but their participation may be more passive, involving less hands-on work and face-to-face interactions.

a group that develops to implement the goals of a particular social movement through activities such as member recruitment, fund raising, and strategy development.

collective behavior that is purposeful, organized, and institutionalized.

scientific knowledge and the concept of rationality.

emergence, coalescence, and routinization

a questioning of the notion that society is always progressing forward.

action that takes place in groups and diverges from the social norms of the situation.

The theory implies that social movements require the participation of powerful or elite members of society in order to be successful.

is fluid.

convergence theory

whose behavior they seek to change; whether the change sought is limited or radical

alterative social movement

a grassroots organization

as a collective response to structural weaknesses in society that have a psychological effect on individuals.

the level of involvement of rank-and-file members

premodern

It downplays individual agency.

Electronically based movements may not be able to take advantage of existing interpersonal relationships to mobilize behavioral change.

a movement that promotes a switch from standard incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs in all American households

We generally define our individuality in terms of our association with various groups.

a boycott of a clothing manufacturer that has factories overseas where child labor is used