Collective Behavior Category

Collective behavior refers to the spontaneous and unstructured actions of large groups responding to ambiguous or emergent situations. It encompasses phenomena such as crowds, mobs, panics, fads, and social movements where individuals act together outside established norms. This behavior is influenced by social contagion, convergence of shared emotions, and situational factors that override typical social structures. Understanding collective behavior is essential for analyzing sudden social changes and public reactions.