Social Psychological Variables of Genocide

by Michael Rutledge

1. Cognitive errors/biases

1.1. Confirmation bias

1.2. Illusory correlations

1.3. Belief perserverance

1.4. Fundamental attribution error

1.5. Ultimate attribution error

1.6. Actor - observer effect

2. Crisis situations

2.1. Political

2.2. Economical

2.3. Can motivate genocide leaders

3. Innate cognitive predispositions

3.1. Cognitive miser tendency

3.2. Mental shortcuts (heuristics)

3.3. Can lead to cognitive errors/biases

3.4. 'In group bias'

3.4.1. Negative 'out group' view

3.4.2. Positive 'in group' view

3.4.3. Leads to stereotyping and prejudice

3.4.4. Negative attitudes toward 'out group'

3.4.5. Ideology of supremacy

3.4.6. Percieved threat orientation

4. Cultural factors

4.1. Violence acceptable

4.2. History of conflict

4.3. Aggression as a normative problem solving method

5. Leadership influence

5.1. Can manipulate other variables

5.2. Pressure to conform

5.2.1. Enhanced by strong authority figure

5.3. Eliminate opposing views

5.3.1. Attitude polarisation

5.4. Group formation

5.4.1. 'Group think'

5.4.2. Deindividuation

5.4.3. Lack of self-awareness

5.4.4. Perception of anonymity

5.4.5. Decreased perception of responsibility

5.4.6. Increased propensity for violence

6. Media influence

6.1. Spread propoganda

6.2. Enhance negative attitudes

6.3. Spread genocide leaders' messages

6.4. Promote cognitive errors/biases