Killian explained crowd behavior with their emergent norm theory. Collective behavior,collective behavior and social. The golden anniversary edition of theory of collective behavior from quid pro books is a modern take on a sociological and social psychology classic. Neil smelsers foundational theory of collective behavior adds marxs extensive new introduction books, classics of the social sciences this golden anniversary edition of theory of collective behavior is a modern republication of a sociological and social psychology classic. Looking at smelsers theory of collective behavior after. Smelser says six determinants are necessary and sufficient for a collective episode to occur.
The study of collective behavior spun its wheels for many years, but began to make progress with the appearance of turner and killians collective behavior 1957 and smelser s theory of collective behavior 1962. Smelser at humboldt university in berlin in the spring of 1995. Aug 21, 2011 a modern edition of a sociological and social psychology classic, adding a reflective new preface by the authorplus an extensive, analytical 2011 foreword by mits gary marx. The study of collective behavior spun its wheels for many years, but began to make progress with the appearance of turner and killians collective behavior 1957 and smelsers theory of collective behavior 1962. Neil smelsers theory of crowd behavior is referred to as. Authoritative, comprehensive, and stimulating, this carefully coordinated combination textbook, cdrom, and website offers a fresh and contemporary perspectivewith a focus on the major methods, theories, and for freshmansophomorelevel courses in introduction to sociology that. Neil joseph smelser 19302017 was an american sociologist who served as professor of sociology at the university of california, berkeley. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The study of collective behavior spun its wheels for many years. The reissue of the book triggered these observations in which i reflect on the fate of old books. During a confrontation in front of the campus administration building, i saw professor smelser sitting in an 2nd floor window ledge observing an interesting example of collective behavior and his theory. His research was on collective behavior, sociological theory, economic sociology, sociology of education, social change, and comparative methods. Smelsers six preconditions for collective behavior mr.
For each, can you tell which of smelser s six preconditions for collective behavior is represented. Neil smelser 1958 uc berkeley sociology department. Since then i have worked continually on this volume. Featuring a reflective new preface by the author and an extensive, analytical foreword by mits gary marx, it is an authorized and painstaking editionnot just scanned and forgotten like most such reprints today. In collective behavior, 20thcentury sociologists r.
Aug 21, 2011 modern, highquality republication of a sociological and social psychology classic. In its totality, it is a fine example of an effort to define a field, identify major types and systematically connect central variables. Emergent norm theory decisionmaking, then, plays a major role in crowd behavior, although casual observers of a crowd may not realize it. The reissue of the book triggered these observations in which i reflect on. Smelser s six preconditions for collective behavior the list below includes information related to the different examples of collective behavior that we studied together in class. Smelser wrote that social movements and other collective behavior occur if and only if several conditions are present. Collective behavior and their theories essay 1745 words. Using a simple model of theory creation and assessmentand applying it in depth to foundational and stillrelevant social and economic theorists such as durkheim, marx and parsonsneil smelser shows the way to a better understanding of what social, political, and similar theory is supposed to.
Modern, highquality republication of a sociological and social psychology classic. Smelsers most popular book is the handbook of economic sociology. This foreword and a new preface by neil smelser to his theory of collective behavior are from a new 50th anniversary publication of this foundational work. Emergentnorm theory points out that people in a crowd take on different roles. Neil smelser is a trained psychoanalyst and it is perhaps fitting that this book can be seen as a giant rorschach test, perhaps saying more about the observer than the thing observed. A distillation of smelser s reflections after nearly four decades of research, teaching, and thought in the field of sociology, the essays identify, as he says in the first chapter. Collective behavior project gutenberg selfpublishing. Both books pushed the topic of collective behavior back into the consciousness of american sociologists and both theories.
Using a simple model of theory creation and assessmentand applying it in depth to foundational and stillrelevant social and economic theorists such as durkheim, marx and parsons neil smelser shows the way to a better understanding of what social, political, and similar theory is supposed to. Abstract a half century has gone by since the publication of neil smelsers classic book on the theory of collective behavior. Pdf looking at smelsers theory of collective behavior. If the proper determinants are present then collective behavior becomes inevitable. Smelsers theory of collective behaviour springerlink. One of the most popular and influential explanations of social movements and other forms of collective behavior is neil smelsers 1963 valueadded theory also called structuralstrain theory. The initial exposition is of a theory of changelabeled structural accretion that has characterized the history of american higher education, mainly but not. The theory of collective behavior essay 1219 words 5 pages. The most widely adopted sociology multimedia learning package. Aug 21, 2011 theory of collective behavior ebook written by neil j.
Smelser is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. Neil smelsers 1962 meticulous categorization of crowd behavior, called valueadded theory, is a perspective within the functionalist tradition based on the idea that several conditions must be in place for collective behavior to occur. The emergent norm theory combines the above two th eories, arguing that it. The essence of smelsers analysis is that social movements form under conditions.
A modern edition of a sociological and social psychology classic, adding a reflective new preface by the authorplus an extensive, analytical 2011 foreword by mits gary marx. These skillfully written essays are based on the georg simmel lectures delivered by neil j. David, pg 3 the theories of social movements are discussed below. That is, in order for collective behavior to happen, certain things had to happen in a certain order. An authorized and quality editionnot just scanned and forgotten like most such reprints todaythis book is part of the classics of the social sciences series by quid pro books. They are structural conduciveness, structural strain, growth and spread of a generalized belief, precipitating factors, mobilization of participants for action and the operation of social control. Neil used durkheims suicide to show how even the driest statistical material can inspire dazzling social theory. Full text of theory of collective behavior see other formats. Emergent norm theory states that crowd behavior is guided by unique social norms, which are established by members of the crowd. This lack of progress came to an end with the appearance of neil smelser s theory of collective behavior 1962, a book which has been hailed as the most important book on the topic during the twentieth century. A half century has gone by since the publication of neil smelsers classic book on the theory of collective behavior. Marx notes, the book is elegant, original, carefully crafted and forcefully argued. Smelser has 54 books on goodreads with 740 ratings.
Valueadded theory neil smelser 1962 argues that collective behavior is actually a sort of release valve for builtup tension strain within the social system, community, or group. The golden anniversary edition of theory of collective behavior from quid pro books is a modern republication of a socio. Explaining collective behavior introduction to sociology. New preface by the author and extensive new foreword by mits gary marx. Publication date 1965 topics social psychology, human behavior publisher new york. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features.
C smelsers preconditions for collective behavior valueadded theory sociologist neil smelser suggested that outbreaks of collective behavior were the results of a stepbystep process. One of the most popular and influential explanations of social movements and other forms of collective behavior is neil smelsers 1963 smelser, n. Between 1959 and 1961 1 was a member of the center for integrated social science theory at the university of california, berkeley. A pithy and clear guide to the process of creating and evaluating theory in the social sciences. Theory of collective behavior ebook written by neil j. His theory of collective behavior is a very valuable tool for understanding much about historical events such as the millennial movements of the middle ages to more resent events such as the demonstrations in cairo to occupy wall street. Neil smelser suggested a theory of structural strain that links existing social conditions to the emergence of collective behavior. Collective behavior rothschilds introduction to sociology. Smelser s most popular book is the handbook of economic sociology. Oct 02, 2017 neil used durkheims suicide to show how even the driest statistical material can inspire dazzling social theory. Smelser wrote that social movements and other collective behavior.
This publication was produced from a professional scan of an original edition of the book, which can include imperfections from the original book or through the scanning process, and has been created from an edition which we consider to be of the best possible quality available. With the increasing focus on the concept of culture by sociologists and other social scientists, there is now a need for clarifying and developing theoretical perspectives on this issue. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read theory of collective behavior. Each condition adds to the likelihood that collective behavior will occur. Quid pro books, as part of its classics of the social sciences series, has published the book in modern formatting, in both digital with the original page numbers and new paperback and. His theory of collective behavior is a very valuable tool for understanding much about historical events such as the millennial movements of. This book is an expanded version of the clark kerr lectures of 2012, delivered by neil smelser at the university of california at berkeley in january and february of that year. Aug 21, 2011 buy theory of collective behavior by smelser, neil j. Behavioral sociology project gutenberg selfpublishing. This chapter represents an unfashionable engagement with the work of the collective behaviour theorist neil smelser 1962, 1969. Smelsers six preconditions for collective behavior the list below includes information related to the different examples of collective behavior that we studied together in class. Neil smelsers foundational theory of collective behavior. For each, can you tell which of smelsers six preconditions for collective behavior is represented. Among many lifetime achievements, smelser laid the.
239 1419 176 95 297 555 1360 651 1083 1523 1036 361 291 1132 241 802 262 723 364 901 1082 1374 1542 1152 665 223 1091 55 1394 1599 436 951 793 700 250 681 1332 1139 59