vol 21 no2,2021

Social Media and the Collective Mind Inductive Study

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 Social Media and the Collective Mind

Inductive Study

Abstract:

This paper addresses the concept of collective mind and its relation with social network sites (SNS). It consists of two parts: the first is a theoretical introduction to the concept, and the second is an approach to explore the relationship between the environment of SNS and the emergence of the collective mind. In the first part, it provides an overview of the concept and the relevant theoretical discussion about it, discusses the difference between the collective mind/consciousness and social consciousness, and highlights the formation of the concept. It also deliberates on its consequences on societies and its relationship with herd behavior and mob mentality. It also discusses its potentials for positive implementation in societies. The second part, reflects on the question of whether the SNS environment acts as an incubator that stimulate the growth and spread of the collective mind. This study uses an inductive approach through a systematic literary review method that reviews and analyzes previous studies about the environment of SNSs and investigates their features that are related to the collective mind. According to the studies explored, this study comes out with a hypothesis that the SNSs represents a stimulating environment for the collective mind. The hypothesis of the study needs to be examined by further empirical research.

Keywords: Social Media, Social Networks, Collective Mind, Collective Consciousness, Social Consciousness, Herd Mentality, Mob Mentality, Social Proof.

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