Justin Van Ness, Erika Summers-Effler
Van Ness, Justin and Erika Summers-Effler. 2016. “Reimagining Collective Behavior.” in Handbook of Contemporary Sociological Theory.
Publication year: 2016

Abstract

Recent research from cognitive social science reveals that early collective behavior theorists had more right than we tend to credit. This may come as a surprise given the rejection of early theories by the emergence of the social movements field and the coinciding rationalist turn. To break free of old ways of thinking, we use cognitive social science to revisit collective behavior theories with a renewed understanding of cognition and emotion. In so doing, we suggest the future of collective behavior is one which utilizes cognitive social science as the foundation from which theories can be rebuilt. We develop this chapter in four parts. First, we review the major approaches to categorizing collective behavior. Following, we trace the history of the major theoretical contributions and perspectives. We then revisit the prematurely dismissed theories in light of recent advances in cognitive social science with an emphasis on emotions, cognition, and action. Finally, we end the chapter with fruitful paths for the future of collective behavior by emphasizing a methodological approach and substantive areas which afford great potential for innovative theorizing.