collective locomotion as collective behavior

Authors: McPhail, Clark
Abstract: Milling clusters, surges within gatherings, street actions, demonstration marches, and state processions are forms of social behavior with which we mark points along a continuum of collective locomotion. A theoretical framework, field observations, measurement criteria and procedures are presented to systematically describe variations in the complexity of collective locomotion. An explanation for these variations is drawn from the ideas of G. H. Mead and from the cybernetic model of W. T. Powers. Field observations and quasi-experimental evidence are presented in support of that explanation. Implications are discussed for the recharacterization and explanation of and for future research on, other elementary forms of collective behavior.

http://aaarg.e-rat.org/index.php/Library:McPhail:Collective

reposted from Sean

hi natalie

i found an article you might appreciate
its called “collective locomotion as collective behavior”
and i put it up on my text-trading / discussion wiki

it has a nice bibliography and makes a few interesting
observations, but the spirit of it is great and the fact
that it was written before emergence / self-organization
became hot is a good example of social scientists
trying to apply cybernetic theories to individuals in crowds.

http://aaarg.e-rat.org/index.php/Library:McPhail:Collective

Sean Patrick Dockray

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