English

The Micro Dynamics of Collective Violence

Physics and Society 2018-02-05 v9 Social and Information Networks

Abstract

Collective violence in direct confrontations between two opposing groups happens in short bursts wherein small subgroups briefly attack small numbers of opponents, while the others form a non-fighting audience. The mechanism is fighters' synchronization of intentionalities during preliminary interactions, by which they feel one and overcome their fear. To explain these bursts, subgroups' small sizes and leaders' role, a social influence model and a synchronization model are compared.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1312.6809,
  title  = {The Micro Dynamics of Collective Violence},
  author = {Jeroen Bruggeman},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1312.6809},
  year   = {2018}
}