Collective consciousness encompasses the common beliefs and values held by a group. These can include cultural norms, societal rules, and moral standards:

• Social Influence
  • It reflects how individuals' thoughts and behaviours are influenced by their interactions with others in their community or society. Social norms and group dynamics shape and reinforce collective consciousness.
• Group Identity
  • Collective consciousness contributes to a shared identity within a group. It creates a sense of belonging and unity among its members, fostering cohesion and mutual understanding.
• Cultural Transmission
  • It involves the transmission of culture, traditions, and knowledge from one generation to the next. This helps maintain continuity and stability within a society.

Gill shares some examples:

• Cultural Norms
  • Social practices like celebrating holidays, following legal systems, and adhering to etiquette are aspects of collective consciousness. These norms are widely accepted and practiced within a society.
• Social Movements
  • Collective consciousness can drive social change. For instance, movements for civil rights or environmental sustainability reflect a shift in the shared awareness and values of a group or society.
• Innovations and Trends
  • New ideas, technologies, or trends often gain traction when they resonate with the collective consciousness of a group. Once widely accepted, they can influence broader societal behaviour.

The sociologist Émile Durkheim explored the concept of collective consciousness as the set of shared beliefs and values that hold societies together. He argued that collective consciousness is crucial for social order and cohesion.

Psychologist Carl Jung proposed the idea of the ‘collective unconscious’, which refers to the part of the unconscious mind shared by all humans, containing archetypes and universal symbols common to all cultures.

Some theories suggest that collective consciousness operates like a ‘collective mind’, where the collective thoughts and emotions of individuals contribute to a shared understanding or awareness.

So, in summary collective consciousness is the set of shared beliefs, values, and knowledge common to a group or society.

Influence shapes and is shaped by social interactions, cultural norms, and group identity.

Examples includes cultural practices, social movements, and societal trends.

Theories have been explored by sociologists and psychologists as a means to understand social cohesion and shared human experiences.

Collective consciousness helps explain how individuals within a group come to share common understandings and behaviours, contributing to the cohesion and continuity of societies.