well guys, not every concept absolutely has to have a single word to describe it. this particular concept falls into a *class of common nouns which are all identified, quite adequately perhaps, by a set of adjectives; thus, collective nouns, abstract nouns, material nouns.
in other words, I know of no such word....
BTW, here is the usage note from the AHD:
In American usage, a collective noun takes a singular verb when it refers to the collection
considered as a whole, as in The family was united on this question. The enemy is
suing for peace. It takes a plural verb when it refers to the members of the group
considered as individuals, as in My family are always fighting among themselves. The
enemy were showing up in groups of three or four to turn in their weapons. In
British usage, however, collective nouns are more often treated as plurals: The
government have not announced a new policy. The team are playing in the test
matches next week. A collective noun should not be treated as both singular and plural in
the same construction; thus The family is determined to press its (not their) claim.
