Individuals are the fundamental units of society, yet when people aggregate into crowds, new patterns of behavior and insight emerge that cannot be predicted by examining individuals alone.

Hierarchy is often associated with formal structures—titles, organizational charts, and explicit chains of command. Yet much of social life is governed by hierarchies that are never formally declared.

Status is one of the most powerful organizing forces in human interaction, yet it is rarely expressed directly. People seldom announce their rank, authority, or social standing in explicit terms.