Co-sponsored by the Federation, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Department of Homeland Security

From left to right: Laurie Rudman, Robin Vallacher, Michele Gelfand, Jonathan Haidt,
Richard Moreland, and Kipling Williams.

On June 9th, the Federation orchestrated a roundtable discussion involving a group of scientists from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and scientists serving in the Threat Awareness Portfolio (TAP) group in the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The goal was to share information and data, and discuss possible applications that might be useful to DHS in fighting terrorism.

The scientists (pictured here) were: Drs. Michele Gelfand (University of Maryland), Jonathan Haidt (University of Virginia), Richard Moreland (University of Pittsburgh), Laurie Rudman (Rutgers University), Robin Vallacher (Florida Atlantic University), Kipling Williams (Purdue University).   Members of the Department of Homeland Security present were: Drs. Joseph Kielman (Director of TAP), Michelle Keeney (Science Advisor for TAP), Allison Smith (TAP Fellow), and Tiffany Lightbourn (TAP Fellow). 

By way of background, DHS’ Threat Awareness Portfolio develops and tests tools and methodologies to assess terrorism threats, and sponsors research as well.  It has three broad areas of oversight and one is the Social and Behavioral Research (SBR) Program.  Its program activities for 2006 include improving the awareness of both individual and group threats and to update and maintain the Global Terrorism Database (involving incidents from 1970 to present).  They are attempting to quantify psychosocial aspects of terrorism as well, noting the difficulty of this kind of assessment.  Also this group is involved in developing models to determine the motivations (e.g., ideological, organizational, contextual) of groups to engage in violence and/or condone violence.  Public communication and education of terrorism is also studied.

Kielman (a biophysicist) kicked off the discussion with an overview of the mission of the Threat Awareness Portfolio and explained how data from many areas of science is needed to meet their goals of raising awareness and implementing tools of terrorism prevention.  He explained that a focus of DHS is on “What if?  Now What?” and not on basics like “Who, What, When, Where, Why?”  He noted that the latter is where the behavioral sciences shine and data in those areas would be imperative in clearly understanding prevention.  Kielman views contributions from the behavioral sciences as a “long-term commitment” that is needed and that information based on 9/11 needs to be further synthesized and used for prediction purposes.  Keeney added that they need information on how to get a more accurate assessment after an event occurs, and how to effectively employ risk communication. 

Powerpoint presentations and summaries provided by the social psychologists are linked on this page.  Given the interest of the topic, we are now working on follow up plans with the two groups to keep the conversation active. 

Agenda: Click here to view the agenda for this event.

Speaker Bios: Click here to view speaker bios for this event.

Power Points:
-- Richard Moreland, Socialization and Identity
-- Robin Vallacher, Social Structure
-- Kipling Williams, Reflexive and Reflective Reactions to Ostracism
-- Jonathan Haidt, Terrorism and the Emotions of Divinity: Elevation, Admiration, and Awe 
-- Jonathan Haidt, Political & Religious Ideologies 
-- Michele Gelfand, The Cultural Psychology of Revenge and Forgiveness
-- Kipling Williams, Social Influence Through Persuasion: Public Buy-In and Mobilization
-- Robin Vallacher, Minority Influence: The Emergence and Impact of Unpopular Opinions

One Page Summaries:
-- Laurie Rudman, Social Psychology
-- Richard Moreland, Socialization
-- Richard Moreland, Identification
-- Robin Vallacher, Stability and Change in Social Structure
-- Kipling Williams, Negative Emotions Motivate Terrorism
-- Jonathan Haidt, Positive Emotions Motivate Terrorism
-- Jonathan Haidt, Individual Morality, Hive Morality and Terrorism
-- Michele Gelfand, The Cultural Psychology of Revenge and Forgiveness
-- Kipling Williams, Social Influence Through Persuasion: Public Buy-In and Mobilization
-- Robin Vallacher, Dynamics of Minority Influence