Abstract
This article considers the hitherto unexplored phenomenon of the informant as used by authorities in their response to social movements. The origins and motives of informants, their roles in radical groups, and factors conducive to their becoming agents provocateurs are explored. Suggestions for further research and conclusions about the effects of using informants are offered.
Keywords
PhenomenonPsychologyMovement (music)Participant observationSocial phenomenonSocial psychologySocial movementDevelopmental psychologyCognitive psychologyEpistemologySociologyPolitical scienceSocial sciencePoliticsAesthetics
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1974
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 80
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 402-442
- Citations
- 200
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Gary T. Marx
(1974).
Thoughts on a Neglected Category of Social Movement Participant: The Agent Provocateur and the Informant.
American Journal of Sociology
, 80
(2)
, 402-442.
https://doi.org/10.1086/225807
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1086/225807