key question (social psychology)

Question 1

what is the key question?

Answer 1

using social psychology, how can we explain what makes people commit acts of terrorism against fellow human beings

Question 2

what is terrorism?

Answer 2

the use or threat of action to influence a government or intimidate the public for a political or religious cause

Question 3

What are two reasons for why this is an important key question for today’s society?

Answer 3

1. It affects our quality and enjoyment of life
2. terrorism affects our public safety

Question 4

How can we explain terrorism?

Answer 4

1960s believed people had a disposition as a psychopath
more recently- causes of terrorism in the wider situation in which terrorists live and act

Question 5

how does social identity theory relate to terrorism?

Answer 5

terrorists believe they are the in-group
they take on identity of in-group

in-group favouritism to their country is important for their group to uphold their self-esteem

leads to discrimination of out-group to maintain self-esteem

Question 6

how does Realistic conflict theory relate to terrorism?

Answer 6

may be competition between terrorist and anti-terrorist groups
social or political
which leads to discrimination

Question 7

how does Milgram’s agency theory relate to terrorism?

Answer 7

follow a leader in position of authority and make them obey commands to carry out atrocities

obey=agentic state

believe responsibility lays with God or leader

Question 8

How does the research of Deutsch and Collins within SIT help to resolve terrorism?

Answer 8

resolve/reduce it at early points in life

by exposing them to different cultures and viewpoints early on

(desegregation housing project)

Question 9

How may Sherif (RCT) help to resolve terrorism

Answer 9

superordinate goals

Question 10

what did Aronsons research find and how may this be used to resolve terrorism?

Answer 10

the jigsaw technique, students had to work together to ensure success of group project

Question 11

Two strengths of using the social approach in explaining terrorism?

Answer 11

1. show how people begin to identify with their group and to maintain self-esteem
   (Tajfel demonstrated this in minimal groups)
2. Explains that people obey authority…suggest they go into agentic state as they place responsibility above (Milgram…65% deliver fatal shocks)

Question 12

Two weaknesses of social psychology approach in explaining terrorism?

Answer 12

1. Tajfel’s results cannot be generalised beyond young boys in lab setting can’t be applied to complexity of terrorism
2. Milgram’s studies lacked eco validity as they were carried out in a uni lab, can’t be applied to real life with many other factors influencing them