Gone with the Collective
Topic: Collective behaviour
by Linda, 2020 Cohort
Collective behaviour is all around us. It is present in many complex adaptive systems, from ant colonies, to the economy and even our immune system. Understanding collective behaviour is essential to understanding the mechanisms behind complex systems.
Collective behaviour is a phenomenon where a group of individual agents spontaneously act in a systematic and cohesive manner. This type behaviour is not mandated by external forces, nor is it present when individuals are acting alone. Below I will explain some elements of collective behaviour.
Synergy#
The operation of the group is larger than the sum of its parts. Individuals seek membership of the collective for personal benefits. Alone, an individual may be weak and insignificant, but together they form powerful and complex patterns of behaviour. For collective behaviour to develop, individuals must communicate the expected behaviour to one another. Often, this is though the sense such as seeing, hearing and smelling. As members in a group engage in certain activities, it prompts more members to do the same. This behaviour is reinforced through positive feedback loops. The reoccurrence of the behaviour is then amplified through the synchronisation of movements and the creation of rhythmic patterns, fostering a deeper connection to the group.
If we take the example of a mass protest, synergy formation is the phase where issues start to emerge. As people start to speak out and take actions against these issues, it inspires more people to take part in the movement. Once gathered together, protesters will use common language and collective movements to reinforce group solidarity.
Pattern emergence#
The collective will exhibit a predictable pattern of behaviour that is not present at the individual level. Although individuals may be performing separate tasks, when viewed from the outside, they form a cohesive group. As collective behaviour is the average of the actions performed the individuals, variation is often necessary for collective behaviour to emerge. Although, major deviations will be corrected through negative feedback loops, creating a self-regulating system.
During a protest, it can be expected that people will gather to the streets and chant in unison for a cause. It can also be expected that the protests will continue to occur in periodic intervals until the issue has been resolved. While people may be holding different signs and have different motivations for attending, they appear as a unified group. Any person that deviates from the accepted behaviour may risk being ostracised or alienated in order to maintain group solidarity.
Self-organisation#
The collective will eventually form an autonomous entity that can survive independently from external forces. As members become increasingly connected to the collective, they become detached from the self and the outside world. The locus of control will shift from the individual to the collective. The collective will form its own consciousness, allowing it to evolve and adapt.
If a protest proceeds for long enough, it will eventually turn into a social movement. It will be capable of influencing the actions of people who were not involved in the protests. A social movement has the ability to evolve to incorporate new ideas and splinter off into branches. The social movement will have a life of its own.
Disclaimer#
This content has been contributed by a student as part of a learning activity.
If there are inaccuracies, or opportunities for significant improvement on this topic, feedback is welcome on how to improve the resource.
You can improve articles on this topic as a student in "Unravelling Complexity", or by including the amendments in an email to: Chris.Browne@anu.edu.au