Social Psychology Key Question: HOW CAN KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BE USED TO REDUCE PREJUDICE IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CROWD BEHAVIOUR OR RIOTING?

What is the key question?

How can knowledge of social psychology be used to reduce prejudice in situations such as crowd behaviour or rioting?

Concept: Realistic Conflict Theory

One way of reducing prejudice is to have two groups work together towards a goal they both aspire to; this is known as a superordinate goal. For example, the boys in Sherif's study worked together to restore the water supply. For the rioting crowd, the goal might be avoiding any more damage to the area the crowd members live in and to achieve this, they would need to work with the police therefore breaking down barriers. Working together to achieve a goal increases the contact between the two groups and reduces prejudice.

Concept: Social identity Theory

Two groups of football supporters can easily identify each other due to the clothing and supporters strips. Within the different groups, members will identify with each other and share the same attitudes and behaviour. This makes the in-group identity strong and is likely to result in feelings of prejudice towards the out-groups. To reduce the prejudice it may be possible to implement a ban on supporters merchandise to ensure that different teams are not identifiable.

Concept: Avoiding Deindivudation

Using CCTV footage of football matches and making the fans aware that they are being filmed would mean that they know they are identifiable as individuals and not just another face in the crowd. A significant reduction in violence amongst English football fans has been the growth of CCTV along with a heavier police presence. Similarly, in the London riots, many individuals filmed the events using their mobile phones and this footage was later used as evidence leading to the arrests of some of the rioters. This may act as a deterrent to people who think that they can riot in a group and remain anonymous.

Concept: Uniform

Using the results of Milgram's obedience studies, it is known that people complied with orders given by another person when that person was wearing a uniform and that they were more likely to dissent if an ordinary man gave the instructions. Therefore, the visible presence of police officers in uniform at a football match would help to increase the likelihood of individuals obeying the rules, therefore reducing violent behaviour.