Editing Collective behavior (section)

{{short description|Sociological theory}}
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{{original research|date=July 2012}}
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{{Complex systems}}
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The expression '''collective behavior''' was first used by [[Franklin Henry Giddings]]{{r|Giddings1908}} and employed later by [[Robert E. Park|Robert Park]] and Ernest Burgess,{{r|ParkBurgess1921}} [[Herbert Blumer]],{{r|Blumer1939}} [[Ralph H. Turner]] and Lewis Killian,{{r|TurnerKillian1957}} and [[Neil Smelser]]{{r|Smelser1962}} to refer to social processes and events which do not reflect existing [[social structure]] ([[laws]], conventions, and [[institutions]]), but which emerge in a "spontaneous" way. Use of the term has been expanded to include reference to cells, [[social animals]] like birds and fish, and insects including [[ants]].{{r|Gordon2014}} Collective behavior takes many forms but generally violates societal norms.{{r|Miller2000|Locher2002}} Collective behavior can be tremendously destructive, as with riots or mob violence, silly, as with fads, or anywhere in between. Collective behavior is always driven by group dynamics, encouraging people to engage in acts they might consider unthinkable under typical social circumstances.{{r|Locher2002}}