Key Question

• What is your social key question?

  What makes people commit acts of terrorism against fellow human beings?
• define terrorism


  The use or threat of action to influence a government or intimidate the public for a political or religious cause.
• why is this issue important?

  1. according to MI5, the threat from terrorism has increased significantly from the 1960s and is now at an all time high for the UK.

  
  

  2. terrorism affects our public safety.

  
  

  3. affects our quality and enjoyment of life.

  
  

  4. fighting terrorism is detrimental to the economy of the country.
• 3 theories/concepts to explain this key question

  1. social identity theory

  
  

  2. realistic conflict theory

  
  

  3. milgram's agentic state of obedience
• Briefly describe social identity theory

  looks to group membership to explain prejudice.

  
  

  idea that just the presence of another group can lead to prejudice

  
  

  in-groups and out-groups
• Link social identity theory to terrorism

  terrorists may believe they are the in-group and that the anti-terrorists are the out-group.

  
  

  By identifying with one group, they start to take on the identity of the group.
• Briefly describe realistic conflict theory

  suggest that prejudice is a result of conflict between groups and that conflicts is a result of competition between groups.
• Link realistic conflict theory to terrorism

  there may be competition between the terrorist and anti-terrorist group.

  This could be social or political, which can lead to discrimination.
• Briefly describe milgram's agentic state

  when a person allows someone else to direct their behaviour instead of choosing it themselves.
• Link the agentic state to terrorism

  terrorists may be following a leader in a position of authority who may make them obey their commands to carry out these acts.
• Evidence supporting social identity theory

  Sherif found that when the boys were asked to choose a friend, the majority chose someone within their own group.
• evidence supporting realistic conflict theory

  Sherif found that when the groups became aware of each other, they were hostile immediately
• Evidence supporting milgram's agentic state

  Hofling et al (1966) showed that nurses would follow doctors' orders in a hospital when asked to give a patient twice the daily dose of a drug. The majority displaced their responsibility.
• What do the features of crowd behaviour and riots refer to in the context of this study material?

  Facts about the key issue
• Crowd behaviour is also known as mob mentality or herd mentality.
• People in crowds feel anonymous, which leads to a loss of individual identity.
• What is a riot often triggered by?

  Protest or grievance
• Match the type of riot with its description:

  Police riot ↔️ Authorities use disproportionate force

  Prison riot ↔️ Uprising by prisoners

  Race riot ↔️ Violence between ethnic groups

  Sports riot ↔️ Violence between sports fans
• The risk of being identified in a riot increases as more people join.

  False
• In February 2015, Chelsea fans were involved in a racist incident on the Paris Métro.
• What racist chant did the Chelsea fans use during the incident in Paris?

  "We're racist and that's the way we like it"
• The Chelsea fans involved in the racist incident were banned from attending football matches for five years.
• What event triggered the Ferguson riots in 2014?

  Michael Brown's shooting
• Tensions increased when a police dog urinated on a shrine of flowers.
• Ron Johnson surprised people by marching alongside protesters in a peaceful gathering during the Ferguson riots.
• What disparity in the Ferguson Police Department contributed to the unrest?

  Predominantly white officers
• "Mob mentality" is explained by Social Identity Theory.
• According to Agency Theory, what moral strain do people feel when using violence in a crowd?

  They feel organizers are responsible
• Social Impact Theory suggests that increasing police presence can restore order in a riot by increasing social impact.
• What social processes did the Chelsea fans use to categorize Mr. Sylla as an outgroup member?

  Social comparison and identification
• Working together towards a superordinate goal can reduce prejudice by creating a shared ingroup.
• What type of power did Ron Johnson gain when he marched alongside protesters in Ferguson?

  Referent power