Social Psychology Concepts in Contemporary American Protests: Groupthink, Group Polarization, and Locus of Control
Overview
This essay examines three key social psychology concepts—groupthink, group polarization, and locus of control—and applies them to contemporary events in the United States. The paper analyzes how these psychological phenomena explain the behavior of protesters during the Black Lives Matter movement and police responses to civil unrest.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing social psychology's relevance to current US events including pandemic and protests
- Groupthink: definition, causes, and application to racial justice protests as insult-driven collective action
- Group Polarization: explanation of extreme group behaviors and connection to sustained nationwide demonstrations
- Locus of Control: concept definition and application to police force tactical adjustments during protests
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Introduction to Psychology
Introduction
Social Psychology is essential in explaining what people think and the reasons as to why they behave in whatever means they would. There is a pandemic in the US at this time, and at the same time, there are ongoing protests concerning the theme of ‘Black Lives Matter.’ This article will highlight three concepts from social psychology by describing them, discussing how they occur, and relating them to an event in the USA.
Group Think
Description
Groupthink is a phenomenon that happens when people in groups decide to take part in the action without looking at their decision critically and not considering the impacts of their actions (Holmes 25).
Why it occurs
Insult from an outside source or great time pressure leads to groupthink. Moreover, the group thinks tales place when people who are together getting the desire to accomplish something and pass a point. Groupthink also takes place intending to express an opinion that is not popular.
Event-related to groupthink
A good example is the US protests by people of color who feel they have been racially abused for a long time. People of color have been victims of police brutality. As a result of the many acts from police, the Blacks pressurized to protest as they have been insulted. Groupthink explains that people of color feel insulted and pressured by the activities of the American Police of killing minorities from time to time (Holmes 36). Therefore, black people and other minorities reason together to air their grievances through protests.