Social Categorization and Fear Reactions to the September 11th Terrorist Attacks

Abstract

Two experiments were run in The Netherlands and Belgium 1 week after the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. The aim was to investigate whether social categorization affected emotional reactions, behavioral tendencies, and actual behaviors. Results showed that focusing participants' attention on an identity that included American victims into a common ingroup led them to report more fear and stronger fear-related behavioral tendencies and to engage more often in fear-related behaviors than when victims were categorized as outgroup members. Results are discussed with respect to appraisal theories of emotion and E. R. Smith's model of group-based emotions.

« Je suis Charlie » : New Findings on the Social and Political Psychology of Terrorism [« Je suis Charlie » : Nouvelles Avancées en Psychologie Sociale et Politique du Terrorisme]

“…This research is critically important. Dumont et al (2003) have shown for example that ingroup-outgroup social categorization can shape emotional reactions to a terrorist attack. Nevertheless, equally important are studies that examine people who are confronted with real instances of terrorism.…”

“…Terrorism is a form of political violence that seeks to instill fear, anxiety and chaos (Dumont, Yzerbyt, Wigboldus & Gordijn, 2003). It can take many forms and reflect the actions of a State.…”

Jihad dan Thâ’ifah Manshûrah: Basis Syariah Identitas Kelompok Jihadis

“…tentang pengaruh kategorisasi identitas terhadap reaksi emosi, kecenderungan berperilaku, dan tingkah laku aktual membuktikan bahwa memberi perhatian terhadap identitas korban menyebabkan terpancingnya reaksi emosi. Dalam situasi seperti itu, emosi yang bersumber dari identifikasi kelompok muncul dan menonjol sehingga kemarahan dan kebencian terhadap pihak yang menyebabkan jatuhnya korban muncul ke permukaan (Dumont, et al 2003).…”

The dialogic construction of self and other in response to terrorism.

“…A dynamic interaction has been observed between emotion and ingroup/out-group boundaries in post-terrorism contexts. In a study in Belgium and the Netherlands in the week after 9/11, Dumont, Yzerbyt, Wigboldus, & Gordijn (2003) manipulated in-group CONSTRUCTION OF SELF AND OTHER AFTER TERRORISM 1 boundaries. When the victims were seen as part of the in-group, participants had higher ratings for fear and reported being more likely to engage in information-seeking and social sharing.…”