Surveying Life Difficulties, Blame Attribution & Support for Political Violence

• In Event: Political Psychology in the Wake of Violence

Abstract

Support for political violence in the U.S. has increased markedly in recent times (Kleinfeldt 2022). An ever-growing body of literature examines predictors of support for political violence and has identified multiple factors ranging from social isolation to political grievances to economic marginalization. Significant life challenges are also sometimes identified as a potential predictor of violent inclinations (Jasko et al. 2017). The 2023 US Secret Service Report on mass attacks in the US provided anecdotal and case study evidence of life difficulties that multiple perpetrators encountered (NTAC 2023). In this study, we aim to expand upon the limited empirical research about the effects of life difficulties and explore their role more expansively as a predictor of support for political violence.
Life difficulties encompass a range of factors including being bullied, facing challenges in achieving life goals and encountering difficulties in family, workplace and romantic relationships. Individuals afflicted with such difficulties are likely to be angry and frustrated. Moreover, they may feel a loss of perceived significance or control because of such challenges. Individuals may attempt to find restitution by resorting to extremist means or causing harm to others (Rotschild et al 20212; Baum et al 2023). For societies and individuals in distress, it is often common to look for someone to blame as a coping mechanism. Scapegoating is more likely during times of trouble and individuals are likely to transfer blame to others, especially those with disliked characteristics (Allport 1954; Berkowitz and Holmes 1959). The present political context is characterized by increasing polarization and highly divisive rhetoric. Respondents undergoing strife by way of various life difficulties may feel tremendous anger, frustration and bitterness at their plight. Given that a readily available scapegoat provides a convenient outlet for displaced anger.
To explore potential causal pathways between life difficulties and support for political violence, we deployed representative national surveys where randomly assigned respondents were asked to watch a brief informational video on scapegoating. The video overviews the process of blame displacement and highlights the pernicious implications of scapegoating like mass-scale violence against targeted groups. Scapegoating can often be a reflex endeavor; it is tempting to blame others for our woes and helps to divert attention from identifying real causes of challenging issues. By raising awareness of the real harm that blame displacement causes to society, we hypothesize that respondents who watched the video gain a better understanding that attributing blame onto others may not be the solution to the life challenges that they face. Further, we anticipate that this heightened sense of awareness may contribute to lower their support for violence against out-partisans.

Authors

• Suranjan Weeraratne, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

• Laurie L. Rice, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

• Ken Moffett, Independent researcher