The group as a violence-inducing device in social conflict

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16KT0154
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 特設分野
• Research Field: Conflict Studies
• Research Institution: Fukuoka University (2017-2019); Kyushu University (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Nawata Kengo 福岡大学, 人文学部, 准教授 (30631361)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-07-19 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 集団暴力 / 集団間紛争

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate empirically the "group mind" that elicits violence. Why do people who inherently dislike violence become violent in certain situations? This study has focused on the role of “group” as violence-inducing devices. Many violent behaviors, such as mass assault, mass delinquency, riots, bullying, ethnic conflicts and genocide, are group-based. In this study, I have been trying to understand the violent nature of the groups that have been examined from the perspective of group processes. During the term of this project, I have written books and articles on group violence and intergroup conflict.

Free Research Field

社会心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

暴力・差別・社会的分断は，現代社会において克服すべき最重要テーマの1つである。日本国内でもヘイトスピーチは広まり，外国人への差別と排外主義は大きな問題となっている。本課題は，暴力を誘発する装置としての集団という観点から，人間の暴力性を理解しようとする点で，高い学術的意義と社会的意義を有している。