LIT 1 Ireland & Zahn

Question 1

What is CV according to Ireland Handbook of CV

Answer 1

Collective violence, defined as coordinated and sustained violent acts by one group against another, is explored through the lens of social identity in the sources.

Examples of collective violence include wars, protracted conflicts, genocide, gang violence, and terrorism. The sources argue that promoting and protecting social identities is central to motivating such violence.

Question 2

What is Social Identity Theory and Social Categorization

Answer 2

social identity theory explains how individuals derive their sense of self from the groups they belong to. This involves comparing one’s group to others to achieve a positive and distinctive social identity.

The theory also introduces the concept of social categorization, where individuals categorise themselves and others into meaningful social groups, leading to depersonalization and viewing others as embodiments of group attributes rather than unique individuals.

Question 3

What social identity motives can contribute to collective violence? Ireland

Answer 3

• The sources highlight two key social identity motives that can contribute to collective violence: uncertainty reduction and collective self-enhancement.

o Uncertainty reduction refers to the need to reduce uncertainty about oneself and one’s place in the world, especially during times of threat or upheaval. Uncertain individuals may be drawn to rigidly structured groups with clearly defined boundaries that provide a sense of order and meaning. This can lead to extreme behaviours, including violence, to protect the group and its identity.

o Collective self-enhancement stems from the desire to view one’s group as superior to others. This can lead to intergroup competition and conflict, especially when group status or resources are threatened. Feelings of relative deprivation, where a group feels unfairly disadvantaged compared to another, can fuel prejudice and violence.

Question 4

What is the role of leaders in cv ireland?

Answer 4

• The sources discuss the role of leaders as ‘entrepreneurs of identity’ in mobilising collective action. Prototypical leaders, who embody the group’s norms and values, are particularly influential and trusted. These leaders can shape the group’s identity, manipulate uncertainty levels, and use rhetoric to exaggerate out-group threats, thus driving collective violence.

Question 5

What narratives are means of justifying collective violence against out groups? Ireland

Answer 5

o Dehumanization involves denying out-group members their human qualities, portraying them as less than human and justifying violence against them. This can manifest as animalistic dehumanization, likening the out-group to animals, or mechanistic dehumanization, portraying them as emotionless machines.
o Collective victimhood describes how groups develop a shared sense of being victims of the out-group, fostering hatred and justifying retaliatory violence. This victimhood narrative can be a powerful tool for garnering sympathy and support while delegitimizing the out-group.

Question 6

What is the role of an Us versus Them mentality in cv? Ireland

Answer 6

• The sources conclude that while a simple ‘us vs. them’ mentality may not always lead to violence, it becomes dangerous when intergroup divisions are rigid and polarised. This is exacerbated by authoritarian leadership, dehumanizing ideologies, and narratives that frame the out-group as an existential threat, ultimately justifying violence as a necessary and even noble act. A key model presented is the ‘staircase to terrorism’, illustrating how individuals escalate through levels of discontent, increasing intergroup division, and ultimately justifying violence against the out-group.

Question 7

What is Collective Violence? Ireland

Answer 7

Collective violence refers to organised and sustained acts of violence perpetrated by one group against another. This can manifest in various forms like wars, protracted conflicts, genocide, gang violence, and terrorism.

Question 8

What is Social Identity Theory? Ireland

Answer 8

Social identity theory explains how individuals derive their sense of self from their group memberships. It involves comparing one’s group with others with the aim of achieving a positive and distinctive social identity.

Question 9

What is social categorisation? ireland

Answer 9

Social categorisation is the process of classifying ourselves and others into meaningful social groups. This often leads to depersonalization, where individuals are viewed as representatives of their group rather than unique individuals.

Question 10

What are prototypes in the context of social identity? Ireland

Answer 10

Prototypes are fuzzy sets of attributes (e.g., beliefs, behaviours, appearances) that define a social group and its associated social identity. Prototypes are often shared within a group, serving as a framework for understanding “us” and “them”.

Question 11

What is uncertainty reduction in the context of social identity? Ireland

Answer 11

Uncertainty reduction is a key social identity motive where individuals seek to minimise uncertainty about themselves and their place in the world, especially during times of threat. They may join rigidly structured groups with clear boundaries to find a sense of order and meaning.

Question 12

How can uncertainty reduction contribute to collective violence? Ireland

Answer 12

Heightened uncertainty can drive individuals to engage in extreme behaviours, including violence, to protect their group and its identity from perceived threats. This can lead to the formation of extremist groups with radical ideologies.

Question 13

What is collective self-enhancement? Ireland

Answer 13

Collective self-enhancement is the motive to view one’s group as superior to others. This can lead to intergroup competition and conflict, especially when resources or status are perceived to be at stake.

Question 14

What role does relative deprivation play in intergroup conflict? Ireland

Answer 14

Relative deprivation arises when a group feels unfairly disadvantaged compared to another group. This feeling of resentment can fuel prejudice and aggression towards the out-group.

Question 15

How do leaders influence collective violence? Ireland

Answer 15

Leaders, particularly prototypical ones who embody group norms, can act as “entrepreneurs of identity,” shaping group identity and mobilizing individuals towards collective action. They can exploit uncertainty, exaggerate out-group threats, and promote ideologies that justify violence.

Question 16

What is dehumanization and how does it contribute to collective violence? Ireland

Answer 16

Dehumanization is the process of denying out-group members their human qualities, making it easier to justify violence against them. This can take the form of animalistic dehumanization (comparing them to animals) or mechanistic dehumanization (viewing them as emotionless machines).

Question 17

What is collective victimhood and how does it relate to intergroup conflict? Ireland

Answer 17

Collective victimhood occurs when a group develops a shared belief that they are victims of the out-group. This narrative strengthens in-group identity, justifies retaliation, and can garner sympathy and support, further fueling conflict.

Question 18

What is the ‘staircase to terrorism’ model? Ireland

Answer 18

This model, proposed by Moghaddam (2005), illustrates the psychological escalation towards violence. Individuals move through levels of discontent, increasing intergroup division, and ultimately arrive at a point where violence against the out-group is seen as justified and even necessary.

Question 19

What is the Frustration Agression Hypothesis? Zahn

Answer 19

• The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis: This classic theory posits that frustration, or the blocking of a goal-directed behaviour, leads to aggression. While the sources acknowledge its intuitive appeal and potential relevance to certain forms of violence, they argue it’s too simplistic to fully explain collective violence. The sources point out that frustration is a widespread human experience, yet it doesn’t always result in aggression, let alone organised collective action. They suggest that other mediating factors, such as group norms, ideologies, and the presence of a clear target, play a crucial role in shaping whether and how frustration translates into violence.

Question 20

What is the Relative Deprivation Theory Zahn

Answer 20

• Relative Deprivation Theory: This theory focuses on the role of perceived inequality in instigating violence. It suggests that groups who feel unfairly disadvantaged compared to others are more likely to engage in conflict and aggression to redress the perceived imbalance. However, the sources caution against viewing relative deprivation as a deterministic factor. They point out that the mere presence of inequality doesn’t inevitably lead to violence. Other conditions, such as the perceived legitimacy of the inequality, the availability of alternative means to address grievances, and the presence of leaders who can effectively mobilise and channel group resentment, likely influence whether and how relative deprivation manifests in violence.

Question 21

What is control theory? Zahn

Answer 21

Control Theory: This perspective emphasises the role of social control mechanisms in regulating behaviour, including violence. It suggests that strong social bonds, adherence to societal norms, and the fear of punishment can deter individuals from engaging in antisocial acts. However, the sources argue that while control theory offers valuable insights into individual-level violence, it’s less effective in explaining collective violence, which often involves a breakdown of traditional social controls and the emergence of new group norms that may condone or even encourage violence.

Question 22

What are the limitations of the Frustration-Agression hypothesis? Zahn

Answer 22

o Frustration is a common human experience, but it doesn’t always result in aggression.
o Other factors, such as group norms, shared ideologies, and the presence of a clear target, influence whether frustration turns into violence.

Question 23

Does relative deprivation always lead to violence? Zahn

Answer 23

No. The sources caution against a deterministic view of relative deprivation. Other factors, such as:
o The perceived legitimacy of the inequality
o The availability of non-violent means to address grievances
o The presence of leaders who can mobilise group resentment All influence whether relative deprivation results in violence.

Question 24

How well does Control Theory explain collective violence? Zahn

Answer 24

While Control Theory provides insights into individual-level violence, it struggles to explain collective violence, which often involves:
o A breakdown of traditional social controls
o The emergence of new group norms that condone or even encourage violence.