Convergence theory, Slides of Social Theory

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Convergence theory

• …also known as the

predisposition hypothesis, holds

that the way people act in crowds

is an expression or outgrowth of

whom they are ordinarily

associated.

• Developed by Floyd Allport (1924) and later expanded upon by Neil Miller and John Dollard (1941) as "Learning Theory,"

Convergence Theory

• Convergence theory holds that crowd

behavior is not a product of the crowd

itself, but is carried into the crowd by

particular individuals.

• Thus, crowds amount to a

convergence of like-minded

individuals.

• Being in a crowd simply gives them an excuse to “reveal their true selves” …..An early, crude version of convergence theory maintained that all people have the potential to engage in collective behaviour because in doing so, they are expressing their savage and brutal instincts.
• • young, aggressive =violence =mosh pit.

Or are there cultural aspects?

• A more sophisticated version of convergence theory holds that certain kinds of people have the propensity to engage in certain kinds of behaviour.
• I.e.. Certain people who go to rock concerts. Moshpits occur among like- minded individuals.

Crit’s of Convergence

• a. it focuses on disruption and irrational examples (like contagion) ;convergence theorists have not examined the broad range of collective behaviours

• c. assumes that ‘like minded’ people rely on crowd animinity - this has been found to be false
• Current studies find that crowds are more hetrogenious than convergence theorist suggest