Description: In this paper we look at the sources from which at type of social movement organization (SMO), emergent groups in disaster, obtain resources. Drawing upon field data from a larger nationwide study of emergent citizens groups (ECG’s) in disaster, we compare our findings with those described by McCarthy and Zald (1973; 1977).
A number of approaches have existed for studying types of collective behavior and social movements. The earliest work was dominated by a psychological perspective in whit it was argued that group emergence and formation occurred through an irrational decision-making process of individual (e.g. LeBon, 1960).