We predict a riot: inequity, relative deprivation and collective destruction in the laboratory.

ABSTRACT: Riots are unpredictable and dangerous. Our understanding of the factors that cause riots is based on correlational observations of population data, or post hoc introspection of individuals. To complement these accounts, we developed innovative experimental techniques, investigated the psychological factors of rioting and explored their consequences with agent-based simulations. We created a game, 'Parklife', that physically co-present participants played using smartphones. In two teams, participants tapped on their screen to grow trees and flowerbeds on separate but adjacent virtual parks. Participants could also tap to vandalize the other team's park. In some conditions, we surreptitiously introduced inequity between the teams so that one (the disadvantaged team) had to tap more fo

SUBMITTER: Dezecache G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8456133 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature