Storming The Capitol

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Grand Canyon University *

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530

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Arts Humanities

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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5

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1 Storming The Capitol Tyria Foster College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University PSY-530: Social and Cultural Psychology Mark Segraves April 19, 2023
2 Introduction On January 6, 2021, a shocking and unprecedented event took place in the United States when a mob of protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. This aggressive act was widely reported by national and international media outlets as thousands of individuals, fueled by false claims about the 2020 presidential election results, broke through barriers, clashed with law enforcement officers, vandalized property, and temporarily halted congressional proceedings to certify the electoral college votes. The violent breach resulted in the deaths of five people, numerous injuries, and extensive damage to one of America's most iconic symbols of democracy (Leonnig et al., 2021). This essay will analyze the factors that could have contributed to this aggressive behavior using the social learning theory as a framework. Additionally, it will discuss preventative measures that might have been utilized to prevent such an incident from occurring. Theoretical Model The social learning theory posits that aggression is learned behavior acquired through observing and imitating others' actions (Bandura et al., 1963). In other words, individuals who witness aggressive acts are more likely to exhibit similar behaviors themselves. In the case of the storming of the Capitol, several factors may have contributed to these aggressive actions being learned and enacted by those involved. In the case of the Capitol rioters, many had been exposed to Trump's rhetoric that the election was illegitimate and that they needed to fight for their country. Additionally, social media platforms allowed for echo chambers where individuals could reinforce each other's beliefs and embolden one another towards violent actions (Zmuda &
3 Frenkel, 2021). Many individuals felt compelled to take matters into their own hands after being exposed to these messages for months on various platforms. The social learning theory suggests that individuals are also more likely to act aggressively if they believe they will not face punishment for their actions . In this instance, some protestors might have felt empowered by perceived support from political figures, including then-President Trump himself. The belief that their aggressive behavior was sanctioned or justified could have contributed to the extreme actions taken by these individuals. Preventive Measures To prevent aggressive behavior like what transpired on January 6th, several preventative measures could be considered. First, addressing incendiary rhetoric by public figures is essential. Political leaders should be held accountable for spreading misinformation and inciting violence through their words. Encouraging responsible discourse surrounding contentious topics would help reduce tensions and diminish the likelihood of aggression stemming from such issues (Greene et al., 2018). Secondly, regulating social media platforms to counteract the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories is another critical step in preventing aggressive acts fueled by false beliefs. Implementing stricter policies regarding content moderation and fact-checking could significantly decrease exposure to misleading information (Gladstone et al., 2021). Additionally, holding these platforms accountable for facilitating events planning that leads to violence would encourage companies to take a more proactive role in monitoring user-generated content. Finally, promoting nonviolent means of expressing frustration or disagreement is crucial when attempting to mitigate instances of aggression. Education campaigns focusing on peaceful conflict resolution techniques can prove effective in reducing aggressive tendencies among
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