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This book introduces principles of Chaos theory (and Complex Adaptive Systems) to social science, in a lively and elegant way. It applies it to the twin disciplines of mass psychology (under social psychology, mostly in Europe) and collective behavior sociology (mostly in North America) that deal with emergent psychosocial phenomena that lie outside conventional approaches. Each of the eleven chapters begins with a topical 'case study' section, on an issue related to climate change and collective behaviour, such as the 'school strike' by Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, the Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow, and more. This book aims to show that there are fundamental reasons why many phenomena cannot be easily 'measured, predicted and controlled', and thus we need to familiarize ourselves with alternative ways of thinking about them.
List of contents
PART I: Mind Quakes.- Chapter 1: Public Opinion as a Complex Adaptive System (CAS).- Chapter 2: The Continuous Mutation of Informal Messages.- Chapter 3: Circular Reaction in Media Hypes.- PART II: Emerging Collective Behavior.- Chapter 4: The Formation of Synergy in Crowds.- Chapter 5: The Emergence of Patterns in Opinion Currents.- Chapter 6: The Self-Organization of Social Movements.- PART 3: Shifting Public Moods.- Chapter 7: The Evolving Context of Fashion and Fads.- Chapter 8: Critical Thresholds in Fear and Panic.- Chapter 9: Possible Attractors, in Outrage and Protest.- PART 4: Conclusions.- Chapter 10: Phase Transitions in Crazes and Crashes.- Chapter 11: Prediction, Planning, and Fundamental Uncertainty.- Chapter 12: Summary: Issues Management?.
About the author
Jaap van Ginneken is a Dutch author, specialised in science studies, collective behaviour sociology and mass psychology. He has published some 25 books, the 10 major ones also translated into English. Earlier forerunners of this book were widely hailed as very innovative - yet highly readable.
