ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses an advocate group as an identifiable collection of persons who agree that something is a problem and are working to change it. It is an umbrella term that includes interest groups, social movements, and sometimes a crowd or even a riot. Political parties and associated political groups are the best-known interest groups. Social movements are likely to advocate for broader social change than special interest groups. Social movements "occur when they are perceived to be occurring", as do crowds and riots. Sociologists have studied social movement formation extensively and have developed theories to explain why they arise and describe their role in social change. The theories fall into three broad categories: desire for structural reform, reformation capacity, and social reformer motivations. Using social movement, social psychology, and group literature, the chapter outlines the important characteristics of advocate groups.
