References:
Sociology in Our Times, Kendall, Diana; Thomson Higher Education, Belmont, CA 94002
http://www.bookrags.com/research/convergence-theories-eos-01/sect2.html
http://hooligansfootball.homestead.com

Convergence Theory: focuses on the shared emotions, goals, and beliefs that many people may bring to crowd behavior; not only crowds but societies and communities. People with similar attributes find a collectivity of like-minded persons with whom they can express their underlying personal tendencies (Sociology in Our Times, 656).


Media 1- Article: Should gay Americans enjoy the same rights, including the right to marry?


1. Anonymity: an individual will gain a sense of invincibility through the influence and empowerment of the crowd. This theory does cover the different ways in which an individual becomes a part of a crowd due to a shared belief. The article presents on example of how this theory applies to the content. The men in women of this rally took place to give gays in America the encouragement and hope that American gays can also marry if they petition long enough. The gay rights movement started in the early 1960's as continuation of movements to gain equality like in earlier cases on right movements for minorities and women (source unknown). Gay men and women have since been holding rally's on the streets of California to express their rights to be married and be accepted as first class citizen's. Some of these men and women have prestigious jobs and still risk their reputation because they want to support their beliefs and the beliefs of their peers. This example of anonymity shows that individuals will protest despite the discrimination of co-workers, family members, or society because the crowd allows them to feel the support they need.

Media 2: Video


2. Suggestibility: through which contagion is achieved, Le Bon claims that primarily these suggestions come from the racial unconscious (Crowd II, source unknown). The KKK video gives a brief history on the start of the movement and how it has effected our communities. Their racial prejudice as a group has shown a history of violent acts on African-Americans, Jewish-Americans, and gay-Americans. On study from the text was done by a psychologist Hadley Cantril on lynching. He found that participants shared certain common attributes: They were poor and working-class whites who felt that their status was threatened by the presence of successful Afro-Americans (Sociology in Our Times, 656). As a consequence these characteristics as individuals caused them to riot as a mob and lynching of African-Americans became common in the south during late 1950's. Through suggestibility Le Bon's convergence theory is manifested in the KKK because of their target of low-income or working-class whites. Most crowds are influenced by a leader that reinforces their insecurities and encourages them to act on it.

Media 3- art: Geisha

3. Contagion: focuses of the spread of particular behaviors where individuals sacrifice there personal interest for the collective interest of others. You may be asking why becoming a Geisha would be a sacrifice? The history of the Geisha started in 1600's who were originally men, these men were then replaced by women to entertain the samurai during times of war. The word Geisha means "artist" and she is simply that. She entertains in tea houses with her many artistic talents, proper tea serving, and sophisticated charm. This was a way for young girls to escape poverty and have a more secure future. Most country men would sell their daughters to these Okiya (houses that kept geisha) to not only make money but to give her a better life. The society viewed them as untouchable and this enticed young girls to be a part of the secret world. Most of these girls are trained and influenced in the Okiya at a very young age and do not leave because of the influence that "mother" of the house has on her and the tradition of the geisha. This applies to convergence theory because these young girls become a part of a society that is socially acceptable and respected. She gives herself up to become one with the rest of who society views as precious.