Relative Deprivation Theory Essay

B11 Relative Deprivation Theory
While reading I found that there are two relative deprivation concepts, which are detrimental deprivation and aspirational deprivation. Psychologically, both concepts are hard on people. When someone experiences learned helplessness because the lack of resources, is a horrible feeling. However, others may disagree that when wanting something, but more of it is a horrible feeling as well because it breaks down to people deciding if they want it or need it. I feel that both terms can really put a burden on people.
This happens to many people on a daily basis, for example, if I wanted an iPhone because everyone has one, but it is too expensive but have just enough money to purchase one, I would make up a legitimate

reason why I need an iPhone. I would eventually convince myself and somehow eventually buy the cellphone although I have a shortage with money. I would feel that it is right and I deserve it. Many people including myself do it on a daily basis.
Many people may think they have a good understanding about social movements, but I did not know much until the section of social movements.

There are many expectations to be made within social movements, and it is very important to have people that are willing to work towards their goal. According to Morrison, there are legitimate expectations, blocked expectations, and discontent. As stated above, it is very important everyone is on the page because it is easily to have people that may not be on the same page as everyone else. Also,
It is important to have people understand that everything won’t be given, and people need to work hard and efficient in order to fight for what they believe in. There may be many blockages, but it is important to stay optimistic. Without optimism, people may not succeed.
Morrison mentions relative deprivation as a special type of cognitive dissonance. Morrison stated, “people want something, believe that they have a right to expect it, and believe they won’t get it” (p. 256). People often are unpleased and experience cognitive dissonance about a situation being injustice or inequity. He has stated 4 ways to reduce discontent. I often found myself experiencing some of these on ways to reduce my discontent. People experience all types of emotions in their life, and it is important to bring awareness to people on ways to reduce

discontent.

B12 Resources
I never really thought about the all the different resources involved in Social Movements. It takes a lot of effort for things to change, but it amazing to learn, read, and experience. Although I have not done much to change major issues in the world, I have been in organizations to raise money for a foundation. It is quite difficult to get everyone together, and have people do their assigned work, such as expenses like transportation, printing or broadcasting costs, and so on. It takes small groups within organizations for a program to run effectively because it is impossible to get everybody together at the same time.
It is true having good organizational structure and effective leadership. Being in an organization, I have experienced it myself and it is not easy. It is time consuming, and people need to be ready to be active. Although many people always want a success movement, that is not always the case and failure does occur. I agree that the decisions and choices are made within the organization. If people come prepared and ready to work, people are more likely to succeed than people who do not want to be there.
Overall, by reading this I found that there is a lot that goes into social movements, and people need to work together in order to be efficient and successful. I believe it is very important to have structure in all types of scenarios.

B 13 Political Process Theory
According to McAdam, classic social movements theories such ass Mass Society and Relative Deprivation Theory focused too much on the psychology dynamics of movement followers. I feel that it is very important how people feel internally. Many people experience different emotions although they all may be going through the same thing together. However, according to the political process theory both internally and externally will be important. It is not only important understand what people are going through internally, but also externally. Often time’s people can only see how things looks from externally, and not always internally. Also, according to the PPT, ideology and beliefs are just as important as material resources, as are political connections, and the overall social structure. It seems like the PPT is trying to get people’s attention to understand everything, and not just one point specifically.
Unlike Morrison, McAdam argues that three factors that most determine the creation and success of a social movement is organizational strength, cognitive liberation, and political opportunities. McAdams theory is quite specific, however, for some reason Morrison’s theory caught my attention more. I am not sure if it because it dealt with emotions more than McAdams theory or not. As stated Political Process Theory focuses more on political connections than on materials resources. I believe material resources play a major factor because it takes a lot of advertisements for people to be aware of the social movement and the goals the organization wishes to address and achieve. In all, it is interesting how much research has been done on social movements, and I believe social movements will continue to grow and people of all sorts will stand up even if it way different from social movements from the 60s. People will find a way that marks these social movements so powerful and meaningful. I guess, after all, we need more “ordinary” people.

B14 Mass Hysteria Today
Blumer defined social movements as unfocused, with shifting leadering and informal member. I found it to be interesting because many others stated that social movements are well organized and formal. According to Morrison, that is what separated social movements and gatherings were the collective action and the collective behavior. While reading, I have found that many of the theorists do agree that social movements have clearly defined goals, definite leadership, and formal membership.
Blumber stated that there are life cycles of social, and the stages are the preliminary stage, the popular stage, the formal organization stage, and the institutional stage. It is great that he has stated this because according to other theorists social movements are ones that last more than a year. Just like life, there will be many different stages a human being may go through. With anything in life, people will experience different settings in their life, and just like social movements there are different stages. Unlike other theorists, they made social movements seem quite difficult but yet did not seem like they stated many negative facts. In the preliminary stage, mentioned that there is violence, however, I would have to disagree because not all movements in the first stage are violent. Although social movements may often get stereotyped as violent, they are not, which I found out during my reading. As a whole, we have not generalized, just like Blumber did.

Ch.15 Collective Action and Identity
This article was about women from all around the world, and not just limited to women in the United States of America. It is important to show people that people from all around the world are standing up for many similar things, specially, women’s rights. The quotes listed on the first two pages, made me think about me ponder about what I believe in. I feel like I am stuck in a bubble, and confused, and that I personally do not what I believe in. As I ponder, I believe that equality should be amongst everyone, but will it ever be possible? I often have many doubts. I truly give credit to the one’s that are involved in social movements and being the change for the world because these “ordinary” people are truly incredible.
The women are truly empowering, and give me reason to live. Although when people think radical feminists, that they are to the extreme, which they are, however, we need people in the world in order to have change and voice in the world. These women did not just wake up one day thinking they were feminists, it was their life experience that made them aware; some discovered earlier than the others, but it does not mean one is better than the other. It makes women aware that they are not alone, and many other people have the similar thoughts and opinions as many others. It true identities are very personal. Who I am as a person is very personal. There may be others that are very similar, but how I may make someone feel not have mutual feelings. With collective identity, many want a sense on belonging to a group or collective. I believe this may be a reason why people need others, social interaction, and also may be why people join organizations.