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Superbowl Riots

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A BBC article published in February of 2018 discusses the events that occurred immediately after the Superbowl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After Philadelphia’s team unexpectedly won the big match fans took to the streets to celebrate via rioting and looting stores. Using theories of collective behaviour it is possible to better explain how such forms of collective action arise. Specifically, LeBon’s mass hysteria, group polarization, and self-categorization theories can adequately be used to further explore why individuals decided to riot their own city as a form of celebration. The Superbowl riots are especially interesting because there are more theories and perspectives on collective action focus on what negative precipitating event caused …show more content…
First, there should be an intensity of behaviour. This can involve an increase in tempo, which was evident in the Philadelphia riots, as the police where struggling to keep up with the rioters (BBC, 2018). Second, there needs to continuity or homogeneity of mood and action within the group. This can include any shared willingness to follow suggestions of other members of the in-group. This homogeneity was evident with the number of large groups that would work together to turn over cars, tear down traffic lights, and brawl one another (BBC, 2018). Third, and most importantly, the group needs to be acting irrationally. What is deemed irrational can depend on society and what norms are set specifically for that group. In the case of the Superbowl riots, it is expected that the winning team would celebrate in a positive manner. This was not the case, however, causing damage to their own city and local businesses for the sake of celebration is certainly irrational behaviour. LeBon further goes on to discuss this third tenet mentioning that this is when people are specifically incapable of respect for social standards, conventions, and institutions (Rohall et al. 2014, p. 301). Such incapability’s are shown with the disrespect to individuals not partaking (aka those in the out-group). This out-group mostly comprised of police and other citizens and businesses of …show more content…
LeBon would argue that society should not hold the individuals accountable, as they are unable to think for themselves. Consequently, group polarization theory would argue against LeBon. One of the main explanations this theory moves forward is that the individuals in the group look to each other and specifically they look to an archetypal member to guide their behaviour. Group polarization suggests that these individuals within the group are capable of exercising their own agency and create their own norms for the in-group. Finally using self-categorization theories, the individuals in the group would also be held accountable for their actions. Self-categorization theories state that individuals are actively searching for their own in-group that is most similar to themselves. Individuals are making these choices to define their own norms on a cognitive level. Similar to group polarization, self-categorization theories posit that individuals are exercising agency and are not incapable of thinking for themselves like LeBon

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