Summarize the nature and influence of collective behavior and social movements and assess the impact of media and technology on social change

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes people feel the need to come together to resist social change or to promote social change.

There are routine ways that we contribute to the workings of our society. We follow the laws, we vote, we contact our members of Congress, and we try to get along with one another as best we can. A good example of this is how the group MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) encourage people to think about possible consequences before they drink and drive (as demonstrated in this video).

But sometimes the routine ways we use to impact society do not seem sufficient to us, so we use other ways to try to change our society for the better, or to prevent changes we do not like. One example of this is Occupy Wall Street, a movement in 2011 that adopted the slogan of “We are the 99%.” Protesters gathered first in New York, but then around the country (and globe!) to highlight the economic disparities between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of the population (watch this video to learn more).

Three hundred years ago, if people wanted something to change, they took matters into their own hands. If they were living in fear of the Frankenstein in the castle, they might take up their torches and pitchforks, march up to the castle and make demands until the matter of the monster was settled once and for all.

Today, social movements are less violent and news of these movements may be rapidly reported to many people locally, or even around the world. Instead of small, local movements, some social movements may be international in scope. And a well-crafted web page may look like there are more members participating instead of the one dedicated web-master.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Describe the causes and development of social movements and social change
• Distinguish between different types of social movements and types of collective behavior
• Compare and contrast theories of social movements and collective behavior
• Analyze the ways in which media and technology influence social change and social movements