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

John Drury, Clifford Stott, Roger Ball, Stephen David Reicher, Fergus Gilmour Neville, Linda Bell, Mikey Biddlestone, Sanjeedah Choudhury, Max Lovell, Caoimhe Eileen Ryan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)646-661
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology
Volume50
Issue number3
Early online date9 Jan 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Riots
  • Social identity
  • Social influence
  • Contagion
  • Collective empowerment
  • Collective action

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