Final answer:
In the absence of authority, various types of crowds might emerge, such as acting crowds focused on specific goals, or there could be disorder due to the lack of social control. However, according to the emergent-norm perspective, people can create their own norms suitable for the situation, which can prevent chaos and maintain order.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the type of crowd that might form in the absence of authority. According to emergent-norm theory, a crowd is not inherently irrational or impulsive; rather, it has the potential to develop its own norms in response to a given situation. For instance, the absence of authority could cause different types of crowds to emerge, often dictated by the specific context and the individual's interactions within small groups.
One plausible outcome of diminished authority could be the formation of an acting crowd, which is focused on a specific goal or action. This may occur because, in the absence of recognized norms and control mechanisms, people need to come up with new ways of organizing themselves. They might rally around a common cause, leading to collective behavior like protests or movements. Conversely, without authority, an assertion of power or disorder such as violence could ensue, reflecting criticisms of anarchy where the lack of a police force or judicial system might make a society unable to control outbreaks of violence or resolve disputes.
However, it is important to consider the emergent-norm perspective, suggesting that even in the absence of formal leadership, individuals can collaborate to establish their own guidelines of behavior that are suitable for the situation at hand, as observed in small communities without formal leadership and law.