urice Richard Riot, the events that caused the collective behavior was the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Forum in Montreal.The second essential point in Smelser’s theory is social strain. This factor arises from “a conflict between different groups, from the failure of a government to meet citizens’ needs, or from the society’s inability to solve a social problem” (p. 537). In this case, the conflict was between the crowds who adored “The Rocket” and Campbell who disregarded this and suspended him.The growth and spread of a generalized belief is the third factor. Collective behavior is the result of a commonly shared belief among the participants about the social strain (1998). The belief that the rioters at the Forum shared was the displeasure at Maurice Richard’s suspension because “he was a national hero and should be afforded some leeway” (Zacharias, 2000).The fourth factor is a precipitating event that occurs. This “event brings the social strain to a high pitch and confirms the generalized belief about it” (Thio, p. 538). In this case, the incident that triggered the riot was the attack upon the NHL president Clarence Campbell by an enraged fan.The mobilization of participants for action is the fifth point that leads to collective behavior. This factor concerns the leaders that encourage the crowds to participate in the riot. In order for there to be such an event, there must be persons who initiate the behavior (1998). In the 1955 riot, the person who encouraged participation was the fan who threw the smoke bomb that led the crowds to exit the Forum in a panic.The sixth and last factor in the theory of collective behavior is inadequate social control. This point relates to the security agents that are present at the scene of the event. They may fail to respond to the problem or are slow in doing so (1998). There were police present dur...
