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A social identity model of riot diffusion: from injustice to empowerment in the 2011 London riots

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posted on 2023-06-09, 20:05 authored by John DruryJohn Drury, Clifford Stott, Roger Ball, Stephen Reicher, Fergus Neville, Linda Bell, Michael Biddlestone, Sanjeedah ChoudhurySanjeedah Choudhury, Max LovellMax Lovell, Caoimhe Ryan
Previous research has shown that riots spread across multiple locations, but has not explained underlying psychological processes. We examined rioting in three locations during the August 2011 disorders in England to test a social identity model of riot diffusion. We triangulated multiple sources to construct a narrative of events; and we analysed interviews with 68 participants to examine experiences. In line with the model, we found evidence for two pathways of influence: “cognitive” and “strategic”. For some participants, previous rioting was highly self-relevant, and shared identity was the basis of their subsequent involvement. For others, previous rioting was empowering because it demonstrated the vulnerability of a common enemy (the police). In each location, interaction dynamics mediated the link between initial perceptions and collective action. The utility of this social identity approach is that it is able to account for both the boundaries and the sequence of urban riot diffusion.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

European Journal of Social Psychology

ISSN

0046-2772

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

3

Volume

50

Page range

646-661

Department affiliated with

  • Sociology and Criminology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-01-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-12-03

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-01-03

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