morrel et al Tottenham riots

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

To answer the question: “why did young people get involved in the Tottenham riots?”

Question 2

sample

Answer 2

36 participants (evenly split between those older or younger than 18).

Question 3

research method

Answer 3

interviews

Question 4

procedure

Answer 4

• Participants were interviewed
  5 weeks after the riots occurred.
• Researchers gained full informed consent & confidentiality & anonymity was ensured.
• Participants were interviewed
  individually or in groups – 2 or 4

Question 5

findings

Answer 5

Four different types of involvement: watchers, rioters, looters, non- involved.
Different factors made people more likely (nudge factors) or less likely (tug factors) to get involved.
These were divided into dispositional factors and situational factors (e.g. having poor job prospects = dispositional, nudge factor. Friends not being involved = situational, tug factor.

Question 6

conclusions

Answer 6

People influenced by what they thought was right or wrong & if benefits outweighed risks.

Question 7

limitations

Answer 7

• Interviews - so could have been dishonest because of social desirability (lacks validity).
• Many participants were accessed in prison (not representative of all who took part).