Paul, Yvette (2024) Exploring the Influence of Police Social Media Responses on Left-Wing Activists’ Trust in the Police in the Netherlands: A Qualitative Interview Study. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Discourse on police responses to online posts could have a negative effect on activists' trust in the police. As existing research suggests, multiple aspects have an influence on trust: power discrepancy, differences between activists and the police and the display of certain trust characteristics by the police (ability, integrity, benevolence and charisma). For this thesis, six left-wing activists were interviewed and given a think-aloud exercise based on these four characteristics. This data was analyzed by using both inductive and deductive codes. The findings were divided in aspects that have null effect, positive effect and negative effect on trust, and legitimacy. All aspects seemed to be affected by a background influence: earlier experiences with the police. Null effect aspects consisted of perceived inconsistency between the online police's response and real-life police action, and already existing, firmly rooted distrust. Positive effects consisted of the aspects: humanization of the police and shared values between the police and activists. Negative effects consisted of the aspects: perceived police intentions’ influence on police power, amorality and the police as an institution. Legitimacy of police responses seemed dependent on the activist perception of what is a proportionate response, which is based on beliefs, norms and values. This thesis helps to understand what aspects of police's responses and circumjacent aspects have influence on left-wing activists’ trust in the police, and suggests that only focussing on the online handling of the police is an incomplete view of the issue at hand.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Greijdanus, H.J.E. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jul 2024 07:42 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2024 07:42 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3605 |
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