Lecture 6: how groups convey their ideology (narratives) Flashcards
They psychology of collective violence (model)
Intergroup conflict leads to 2 things:
1. Stronger need for violence (“violence is necessary”)
2. Weaker moral constraints (“the other group is evil”)
A combination of these factors (together with different group processen) lead to collective violence.
Narratives
Stories that are aimed at sense-making (like narrative of violence events giving answers to questions about why it happend enc.). This can be at individual or group level. If often filled with emotions, humour, irony, sarcasm, symbolism, metaphors and rituals.
The ideology of a narrative is only one part of it, but the way in which the narrative is communicated is the most important part.
6 kinds of narratives
- Explicit narratives
- Implicit narratives
- Tacit narratives
- Personal narratives
- Organisational narratives
- Cultural narratives
What we focus on: master narratives.
Master narratives
Narratives that are deeply embedded in a culture, provide a pattern for cultural life and social structure, and create a framework for communication about what people are expected to do in certain situation. Of a combination of personal, explicit, implicit etc. narratives.
3N model of narratives
Narratives fit in a group in 3 ways:
1. The Narrative itself.
2. The Network (social connections in the group)
3. The Needs of a certain group (like need for significance)
Example: conspiracy theories are a narrative that transforms an abstract sense of distrust into concrete allegations (‘the elite are lizard people’).
Elements of a narrative
- A grievance: an evil crime (‘they want to brainwash us’)
- A culprit: someone responsible (‘the elide did this’)
- A secretive element that facilitates the link with violence (‘we need to try irregular strategies, like violence, because normal strategies aren’t enough to stop them’)
Narrative plots
- Rags to riches
- Quest
- Voyage and return
- Overcoming the monster
- Tragedy
- Comedy
- Rebirth
Narratives in violent groups
The problems described in the narratives:
- An ‘other’ group
- Us vs. them thinking
- Victimhood and injustice
The solutions described in the narratives:
- Heroism
- Belonging
- Justice and rightfulness
Examples of violent narratives
Historical narratives:
- Problem: society has changed for the worse.
- Solution: re-establish old norms through violence.
Territorial narratives:
- Problem: the land belongs to us.
- Solution: reclaim through violence.
Gender/masculinity narrative:
- Problem: our masculinity is repressed.
- Solution: violent disruption of feminism.
Language and narratives
- Style and form: sentimentality, hyperboles and metaphors are often used.
- Positive framing (‘freedom fighters’ instead of ‘terrorists’)
- In-group language and use of plural pronouns.
- Self-identification and familiarisation (‘our comrades’ ‘our brothers’)
Aesthetics in narratives
How it looks matters, the shape, the fond, the colours, the images etc. This is why counter-narratives also should focus on this. It’s not only the message, but it should match the appeal, the style of the narrative and the core values of the group. Narratives not only persuade, but can also inspire.
Subculture narratives
Subcultures are groups within a group where social norms of the majority are inverted or satirised (omgedraaid of bespot).
Example: jihadism rebranded as an aesthetic subculture like ‘jihadi-cool’ or ‘jihadi-chique’.
This is inconsistent with the ideology of the group at first glance, but the are using it to show that they are similar people compared to the rest of us (‘we play video games too’, ‘we love kittens too’, ‘we love nutella too’). This attracts people to their group.
Eco-fascism
Using climate breakdown as an argument for fascist worldviews.
Example: returning to our roots-narrative:
- Local living –> no immigration.
- Pro selective breeding and white nativist nationalism.
- Emphasising purity, authenticity.
- Anti-technology (not social media etc.)
- Influence on eating habits.
- Concern with overpopulation (‘the others are having too many children’)
- focus on nostalgic perception of history (clearly defined gender roles etc.)