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Police intervention in riots: The role of accountability and group norms. A field experiment
Author(s) -
Kroon Marceline B. R.,
Van Kreveld Dik,
Rabbie Jacob M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of community and applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.042
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1099-1298
pISSN - 1052-9284
DOI - 10.1002/casp.2450010402
Subject(s) - accountability , action (physics) , social psychology , psychology , collective action , field (mathematics) , public relations , political science , law , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , politics , pure mathematics
This study explores the role of perceived accountability in riot police action. The basic hypothesis is that accountability, provided that non‐violent norms are made salient, will lessen the chances of escalation of a conflict between police and demonstrators. Four platoons participated in a field experiment conducted at the Dutch Riot Police Academy, in which they played a riot simulation. In a 2 × 2 design, the effects of accountability and Department on attitudes and norms concerning the action of ‘police’ and ‘demonstrators’ were tested. Measurements were made before and after the simulation. Internal analysis, involving redefined accountability categories, provided support for our hypothesis. That is, perceived accountability proved to be related to a heightened public self‐awareness, a less extremely positive evaluation of fellow group members, and less intergroup differentiation. The limitations of an internal analysis are discussed, as well as the importance of the nature of organizational norms and of the accountability forum in predicting the effect of accountability.