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8 - Opinion-based groups

(Racist) talk and (collective) action on the internet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2011

By
Craig McGarty ,
Girish Lala  and
Karen M. Douglas
Edited by
Zachary Birchmeier ,
Beth Dietz-Uhler  and
Garold Stasser
Zachary Birchmeier
Affiliation:
Miami University
Beth Dietz-Uhler
Affiliation:
Miami University
Garold Stasser
Affiliation:
Miami University
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Summary

In this chapter we take a broad view of the social psychology of intergroup relations and apply it to the internet. We start by addressing two popular propositions about the internet. The first of these is that the internet is a safe haven for racists who, using the cover of anonymity, engage in hostile flaming of members of other communities. We can call this first proposition the anonymous cyberhate view of the internet. The second popular proposition is the idea that the internet is a hotbed of social activism where people develop plans to change the world using a device that spans continental boundaries. We call this second proposition the global activist view of the internet.

Let us be clear that there is some truth to both propositions and it is easy to find evidence for both of them. Our contention, however, is that both of the propositions are gross oversimplifications that tend to lead commentators and observers to misunderstand the dynamics present in this medium.

Type
Chapter
Information
Strategic Uses of Social Technology
An Interactive Perspective of Social Psychology
 , pp. 145 - 171
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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