Psychology of activism midterm about 35 questions most multiple choice and other is short response its due right now from 5-8pm

1. What is Activism? Motivations of activists Methods of protest and persuasion -speeches - vigils - slogans - teach-ins - banner - singing - marches - picketing Noncooperation -rent strike -boycotts -disobeying social customs Intervention - sit-ins - fasting - nonviolent occupation Violent Action - beatings - torture - killings - bombing And the in-between: - violence against physical objects (damage, defacing, destruction) Modern Methods of activism • Culture Jamming • Cell phone rallying • -cyberactivism • Overloading a website with messages etc Youth Activism Activist groups • Very typically activists are members of a larger group • This has many advantages: • Social support system • Can undertake large tasks • Can use people skills • Can conduct person-to-person training • Can teach by example Social movements are typically brought on by several different groups and individuals acting towards a common goal What Motivates activism? • A sense of identity • A sense of purpose • A common goal • Vision • Identification of inequality and injustice • Fear • Urgency • The kids Methods of activism, both successful and unsuccessful Most Effective Strategies ● Organize in a friendly political climate ● Mobilize frequently ● Choose nonviolent tactics * Utilizing a variety of actions • Individual actions • Youth Activism Methods ADL describe 10 ways in which young people can engage in activism • Educate others - When you learn something that makes you passionate, share your knowledge • Advocate for legislation • Run for office • Protest • Create a public awareness campaign that includes social media • Do a survey about the issue and share the results • Raise money • Write a letter to a company • Engage in community service • Get the press involved 2. Motivation and Persuasion Motivation Theories of Motivation Instinct theory Evolutionary foundation Human instincts needed for survival Descriptive rather than explanatory Drive reduction theory Clark Hull Biological basis/homeostasis Cognitive basis/Festinger’s cognitive consistency theory Arousal theory Motivated to achieve optimal arousal level Yerkers-Dodson law: task performance and arousal levels Humanistic theory Maslow’s hierarchy of needs Incentive theory Behavioral perspective/learning principles Reinforcement and punishment Intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcers Expectancy theory Valence Instrumentality Expectancy Impact of Motivation Activation Persistence Intensity Practical techniques and applications Persuasion Key elements of persuasion Social psychology’s principles of persuasion Reciprocity Consistency Social proof/social referencing Authority Likability Scarcity Kairos Mode of Persuasion How to make an idea “stick.” 3. Activism within Psychology (Tina) 4. The Power of the Media (Tina) Fake News Scam emails Indicators of fake news Source of news Misleading headlines Authorship considerations Lack of support Incorrect dates Misleading photos Satire and parody Confirmation bias Fact checking with experts 5. Voting as Activism History of voting rights Original constitutional provisions Constitutional amendments Federal legislation State actions (Oregon’s automatic registration initiative) Supreme Court action on voting rights Voter Turnout Presidential elections vs. “off” years Effect of voters’ ages Other factors effecting turnout rates (state, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) Why people don’t vote Registration barriers Impact of 2-party, winner take all system Declining social capital Weakening political parties Political efficacy Confusion Political burnout Practical obstacles (pandemic, transportation, work schedules, childcare) Voter disenfranchisement efforts Voter ID laws Felons stripped of voting rights Modern day poll taxes (Florida requirement that fines be paid before felons’ voting rights are reinstated) Obstacles created to registration Obstacles to mail-in and early voting Interference with voting on election day (e.g., closing polling sites, insufficient machines) How to encourage voting Face-to-face canvassing (not recommended during pandemic) Asking people to predict if they will vote Messaging reminders to registered voters Make voting seem like the normal behavior Persuade a registered voter to try it just once Eliminate voting barriers Change the system and decrease disenfranchisement Practical information on voting, and where to find it Getting involved in larger voter outreach efforts Provisional ballots! 6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: Know your First Amendment Rights The First Amendment Limits of free speech Schenck v. US: Clear and present danger standard Types of speech Pure speech Speech plus Symbolic speech Freedom of Assembly and Petition Legal and regulatory restrictions Public health concerns Content neutral restrictions Practical information on protesting in NYC and elsewhere Right to peaceful protest in public areas Includes gatherings, marches/parades, and caravans Restrictions imposed to protect community and ensure safety Special provisions during pandemic Effect of locale Traditional public fora Other public locations Your own private property Others’ private property Use of signs Recording and be recorded at protests and police actions Government interference with recording Police ordered dispersals What to do if your rights are violated Information and evidence gathering In the event of arrest: Practical pointers Right to Know Act Protecting Digital Security Preventing DNA collection Legal observers (National Lawyers Guild), protest monitors (ACLU/NYCLU), & Marshalls