Confronting Online Extremism

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Costello ◽  
James Hawdon ◽  
Thomas N. Ratliff
Keyword(s):  
Social Control ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Routine Activity Theory ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Youth And Young Adults

Who is likely to be a target of online hate and extremism? To answer this question, we use an online survey ( N = 963) of youth and young adults recruited from a demographically balanced sample of Americans. Adapting routine activity theory, we distinguish between actor-initiated social control (i.e., self-help), other-initiated social control (i.e., collective efficacy), and guardianship and show how self-help is positively related to the likelihood of being targeted by hate. Our findings highlight how online exposure to hate materials, target suitability, and enacting social control online all influence being the target of hate. Using social networking sites and encountering hate material online have a particularly strong relationship with being targeted with victim suitability (e.g., discussing private matters online, participating in hate online) and confronting hate also influencing the likelihood of being the target of hate speech.

Cyber-Routines, Political Attitudes, and Exposure to Violence-Advocating Online Extremism

Social Forces ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hawdon ◽  
Colin Bernatzky ◽  
Matthew Costello
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Exposure To Violence ◽  
Routine Activity Theory ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Virtual Spaces ◽  
Transmission Of Information ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media

AbstractThe Internet’s relatively unfettered transmission of information risks exposing individuals to extremist content. Using online survey data (N = 768) of American youth and young adults, we examine factors that bring individuals into contact with online material advocating violence. Combining aspects of social structure-social learning theory with insights from routine activity theory, we find that exposure to violence-advocating materials is positively correlated with online behaviors, including the use of social media platforms and the virtual spaces individuals frequent. Target antagonism is also correlated with exposure to violence-advocating materials, but guardianship and online and offline associations are not. Finally, feelings of dissatisfaction with major social institutions and economic disengagement are associated with exposure to violent materials online.

The Enthymemes of Supporting President Trump: Explaining the Association Between Structural Location, Supporting the President, and Agreeing With Online Extremism

2020 ◽  
pp. 089443932090576
Author(s):  
James Hawdon ◽  
Matthew Costello ◽  
Colin Bernatzky ◽  
Salvatore J. Restifo
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Routine Activity Theory ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Structure Theory ◽  
Norm Violations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Do So

Does hateful rhetoric appeal to supporters of President Trump? Prior studies link sexism, racism, Islamophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment, and intolerant forms of Christianity to supporting or voting for President Trump. We extend this literature by examining whether individuals who approve of President Trump’s job performance are more accepting of the hateful rhetoric and imagery they encounter online. We do so using online survey data ( N = 465) of youth and young adults collected in December 2017. Building on previous theoretical explanations of participating in online hate that utilize routine activity theory and social learning–social structure theory, we argue that support for President Trump is a result of the “politics of status,” and support for the President thus represents an enthymeme. Our key finding is that agreement with online hate material is indeed positively associated with support for the President. Additionally, we find that one’s differential location in the social structure, online and off-line social bonds, and attitudes toward norm violations are associated with agreement with online extremist content.

Perceptions of risk on vacation among visitors to Istanbul

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mine Ozascilar ◽  
Rob I. Mawby ◽  
N. Ziyalar
Keyword(s):  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Routine Activity Theory ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the perceptions of risk from specific crimes held by tourists at the start of their vacation in the Turkish city of Istanbul.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes findings from Phase 1 of a two-phase research programme, during which 210 arrivals at the Ataturk airport were asked about their perceptions of their safety from crime while in the city and their intentionsvis-à-visthe adoption (or otherwise) of basic safety precautions, using a 32-question self-completion questionnaire.FindingsThe findings confirm those of earlier studies that tourists, unlike citizens in general, tend to have low expectations of their vulnerability to crime. However, variables associated with fear in conventional surveys were not generally related to the perceptions of risk. The clearest association was between prior knowledge of crime in Istanbul and perceptions of risk. The lack of any strong relationship between perceptions of risk and intent to adopt safety precautions is then discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to visitors to one city and to English-speaking tourists.Practical implicationsThe implication here is that if tourist centres wish to reduce crime it is not sufficient to focus on “educating” tourists on the dangers, but that more emphasis should be placed on crime prevention methods that put the onus on the host environment.Social implicationsFrom a criminological perspective, two points appear particularly important. First, the relationship between fear (in all its manifestations) and risk is not constant. It may differ in different physical and social contexts. Second, if, following routine activity theory, policy makers wish to focus on changing people’s behaviour in order to maximise their safety, in different contexts different publics may vary in their willingness or resistance to change.Originality/valueThis study is original as it focusses on tourists to a specific destination at the beginning of their holiday.

Reporting Hate Comments: Investigating the Effects of Deviance Characteristics, Neutralization Strategies, and Users’ Moral Orientation

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 921-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Wilhelm ◽  
Sven Joeckel ◽  
Isabell Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Moral Foundations ◽  
Moral Orientation ◽  
Reporting Behavior ◽  
Norm Violations ◽  
Norm Violation ◽  
Negative Comments ◽  
Neutralization Techniques

Norm violations in comments on social networking sites have raised concerns about the climate of political discourse. In this article, we analyze how comment characteristics and neutralization techniques in potential hate speech comments influence users’ ascription of deviance by reporting negative comments about refugees. We focus on the type of norm violation, subtlety, type of victim, and justifications as comment characteristics. Moreover, we examine the influence of descriptive and injunctive norms on reporting behavior of potential hate comments. Here, we focus on individual’s moral orientation and the perceived level of peer deviance. Results of an online survey ( n = 457) that included a choice-based conjoint design suggest that incitements for violence and direct offenses are more likely to be reported than other types of norm violation and indirect offenses. Moral foundations, indicative of liberal political orientations, fostered reporting behavior, but conservative orientations reduced reporting behavior.

Stuttering-Related Podcasts: Audio-Based Self-Help for People Who Stutter

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1131-1138
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Dignazio ◽  
Megan M. Kenny ◽  
Erik X. Raj ◽  
Kyle D. Pelkey
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Group Members

Purpose It is known that people who stutter (PWS) benefit from self-help experiences, such as attending support groups or conferences. However, limited research has been done to explore the listening of stuttering-related podcasts as a form of self-help for PWS. This study seeks to understand the reasons why PWS listen to stuttering-related podcasts and provide descriptions of their listening experiences. Method Thirty-three PWS who have listened to stuttering-related podcasts were recruited to participate in an online survey that included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Responses were analyzed and grouped into descriptive themes. Results Participants reported listening to stuttering-related podcasts as a way to gain information and perspective. They also reported experiences that fit themes of empowerment and camaraderie, as a result of listening. Conclusions Stuttering-related podcasts seem to be a positive self-help tool for PWS. Stuttering support group leaders and/or speech-language pathologists may consider introducing their group members or clients who stutter to this type of audio-based self-help experience.

scholarly journals The Interplay of Online Network Homogeneity, Populist Attitudes, and Conspiratorial Beliefs: Empirical Evidence From a Survey on German Facebook Users

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Cargnino
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Process Information ◽  
Negatively Associated

Abstract Social networking sites are suspected to impede the communication between members of different political camps and thereby increase network homogeneity. This homogeneity can be a result of humans’ tendency to process information in confirmatory ways—a characteristic which is also ascribed to populist citizens and those who hold conspiratorial beliefs. It is hypothesized that populist views and conspiratorial beliefs are associated with higher exposure to like-minded information within Facebook. An online survey with German Facebook users (N = 469) revealed that populist attitudes are positively associated with conspiratorial beliefs but negatively associated with homogeneity. Conspiratorial beliefs are unrelated to homogeneity. Findings are discussed in the light of extant research.

Crime Victimization among Injection Drug Users

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen McElrath ◽  
Dale D. Chitwood ◽  
Mary Comerford
Keyword(s):  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Property Crime ◽  
Routine Activity Theory ◽  
Injection Drug ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
Victimization Risk ◽  
Lifestyle Activities

This study uses routine activity theory to examine violent and property crime victimization among a sample of 308 injection drug users (IDUs). We estimate prevalence rates and identify factors that contribute to the victimization of IDUs. The findings suggest that victimization rates of IDUs were much higher than rates found for the general urban population. Generally, crime involvement did not contribute significantly to victimization risk. Use of crack-cocaine increased the likelihood of property crime victimization whereas heroin use decreased the probability of both violent and property crime victimization. Other drug lifestyle activities (i.e., waiting in uncomfortable situations to buy drugs) also affected victimization risk Finally, the results suggest that victimization differed by age and by gender, despite controls for drug use and drug lifestyle activities. Explanations for these results are offered.

scholarly journals How Downward and Upward Comparisons on Facebook Influence Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissists’ Self-Esteem—A Priming Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Phillip Ozimek ◽  
Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽  
Elke Rohmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
And Control

Past research showed that social networking sites represent perfect platforms to satisfy narcissistic needs. The present study aimed to investigate how grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) as well as social comparisons are associated with Facebook activity, which was measured with a self-report on three activity dimensions: Acting, Impressing, and Watching. In addition, the state self-esteem (SSE) was measured with respect to performance, social behavior, and appearance. One hundred and ten participants completed an online survey containing measures of SSE and Facebook activity and a priming procedure with three experimental conditions embedded in a social media context (upward comparison, downward comparison, and control group). Results indicated, as expected, that high VN was negatively associated with SSE on each subscale and the overall score. In addition, it was found that VN, but not GN, displayed positive associations with frequency of Facebook activities. Finally, it was proposed and confirmed that VN in interaction with the priming of downward comparisons negatively affected SSE. The conclusion drawn is that VN represents a key variable for the prediction of self-esteem as well as for the frequency of Facebook activity.

Neighbourhood places, collective efficacy and crime: A longitudinal perspective

Urban Studies ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 004209802110088
Author(s):  
Renee Zahnow ◽  
Jonathan Corcoran ◽  
Anthony Kimpton ◽  
Rebecca Wickes
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Land Use Classification ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Panel Models ◽  
Over Time

Neighbourhood places like shops, cafes and parks support a variety of social interactions ranging from the ephemeral to the intimate. Repeated interactions at neighbourhood places over time lay the foundation for the development of social cohesion and collective efficacy. In this study, we examine the proposition that changes in the presence or arrangement of neighbourhood places can destabilise social cohesion and collective efficacy, which has implications for crime. Using spatially integrated crime, social survey and parcel-level land-use classification data, we estimate mixed effects panel models predicting changes in theft and nuisance crimes across 147 Australian neighbourhoods. The findings are consistent with neighbourhood social control and crime opportunity theories. Neighbourhood development – indicated by fewer vacant properties and fewer industrial and agricultural sites – is associated with higher collective efficacy and less crime over time. Conversely, introducing more restaurants, transit stations and cinemas is associated with higher theft and nuisance over time regardless of neighbourhood collective efficacy. We argue that the addition of socially conducive places can leave neighbourhoods vulnerable to crime until new patterns of sociability emerge and collective efficacy develops.

scholarly journals #SocialMedia: Exploring the Relationship of Social Networking Sites on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630511770440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Santarossa ◽  
Sarah J. Woodruff
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to investigate whether problematic social networking site (SNS) use (i.e., degree of dependent relationship with SNSs), total SNS time/day, total SNS friends, and specific SNS activities were related to body image (BI), self-esteem (SE), and eating disorder (ED) symptoms/concerns. A sample of young adults ( N = 147) completed an online survey which measured SNS usage, problematic SNS use, BI, SE, and ED symptom/concerns. The findings revealed that females and males spent 4.1 ± 3.9 and 2.9 ± 2.8 hr on SNS, respectively, with the majority of time spent lurking (i.e., looking at another users’ profile but not actually communicating with them). Furthermore, problematic SNS use was found to be related to BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns. Moreover, SNS activities, such as lurking and posting comments on others’ profiles, were found to be related to BI, whereas SNS total time was found to be related to ED symptoms/concerns. Overall, this study demonstrates the possible correlational influence of SNSs on BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns.

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