(FINAL - Chicago)__Ingroup, outgroup, or ally __5 September 2021.pdf (401.87 kB)
Ingroup, outgroup, or ally? An inquiry on the identity content of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) supporters on social media
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 04:49 authored by Melis UlugMelis Ulug, Helin Ünal, Arda BilgenSince the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, the People’s Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Gel?, the YPG) has been one of the most notable groups in Syria. The group has become increasingly known especially after playing a significant role in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and, later on, declaring autonomy in northern Syria in 2014. While various political, economic, and social dimensions of the Rojava struggle and of the YPG have been examined within a wide array of fields, the group and its identity have not been adequately examined through a social-psychological lens thus far. In this study, we seek to fill this gap by examining how YPG supporters represent, understand, and express the identity and behaviour of their own group and their adversaries on social media, particularly on Twitter. In light of social identity theory, we explore YPG supporters’ (1) ingroup representations (both ingroup members and allies), (2) ingroup social norms, (3) outgroup representations, and (4) outgroup social norms. Thus, we not only present the first empirical study in this regard, but also discuss the meanings of identity content and social norms in relation to the processes of mobilization and solidarity among YPG supporters.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
British Journal of Middle Eastern StudiesISSN
1353-0194Publisher
Informa UK LimitedExternal DOI
Page range
1-20Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-09-26First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-04-23First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-09-27Usage metrics
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