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Emergent Norms Theory

The theory that collective behavior is interpreted as an emergent phenomenon that arises as a result of the development of new rules and patterns of behavior within a crowd or group during the event itself. According to this theory, collective behavior does not always have predetermined rules or norms; Rather, norms arise in the process of gathering people through the interaction of people and their reactions to different situations. Thus, what is considered acceptable or expected behavior in a crowd is determined collectively and depends on people’s compliance with certain norms or their acceptance in response to new circumstances and situations. The theory focuses on the role of leaders or influencers in a crowd, where the actions or decisions of some members can become a standard or model for others to follow, thereby forming a collective norm. For example, someone may start chanting slogans or moving in a certain way at a demonstration or group celebration, and others will gradually follow suit, turning the action into acceptable and uniform group behavior. From a psychological point of view, the theory states that people in a crowd tend to belong to a group and conform to it, which forces them to rely on the norms that are being formed, directing their behavior. From a sociological perspective, the theory provides a framework for understanding how crowds and groups can develop new rules and patterns of behavior in response to unfamiliar situations, rather than relying on traditional or legal values and norms. It shows that collective flexibility and adaptability are essential elements in shaping collective behavior, creating a temporary social order that guides group interactions and reduces potential chaos.

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