I’ve written before using this title. I applied it to a policing issue. I wanted to use the same title to explore how the power of the situation plays out in many different issues.
A focus on the individual is often a priority for many involved in the prevention of harm, however a focus on the situation is often missing. A basic premise of social psychology assumes that people’s thoughts, actions, and behaviours are influenced substantially by the situation – ‘the power of the situation’.
In 1971, a team of psychologists designed and undertook an unusual experiment that used a mock prison setting, with college students role-playing prisoners and guards to test the power of the social situation to determine behaviour. The research, known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, has become a classic demonstration of situational power to influence individual attitudes, values, and behaviour.
So extreme, swift, and unexpected were the transformations of character in many of the participants that this study, planned to last two-weeks, had to be terminated by the sixth day. A few years back I was fortunate enough to meet and chat with Dr Philip Zimbardo one of the psychologists involved. Now I’m aware of the criticism directed at Zimbardo around the ethics of this experiment, however this infamous experiment highlighted the power of situation on a range of individuals, including Zimbardo himself. Whilst many focus on the behaviour of the students assigned the role of guards I was fascinated and curious about the impact on Zimbardo himself.
During my chat with ‘Dr Phil’ he made it clear that he became a passive bystander to what was going on. At the time, his now wife suggested their relationship might end unless he stopped the experiment. He stopped the experiment, and they later became husband and wife. Dr Phil died earlier this year. A great man who taught me to move beyond the ‘Good vs Evil’ conversation that we are all too comfortable having when discussing a range of social situations.
The Good vs Evil chat is comfortable because it lets us off the hook. We allow ourselves to simply say “bad people do bad things. I’m good, it’s got nothing to do with me.”
The recent showing of the Netflix Drama Adolescence has sparked much needed debate about ‘male violence’ and the impact of the online world on violent behaviour. I use the term ‘male violence’ simply to provide a focus on the issue that I feel the drama is focusing the viewer on. Whilst it’s a drama, the topic is relevant to many ongoing issues we see being played out in communities across the country. Whilst it’s important that we do not render the violence towards woman and girls shown in the drama invisible, we do require to focus on how the power of the situation plays out both in the drama and in real life. The depth of the conversation needed, requires us to look specifically at the issue of male violence, whether that violence is committed against girls and women, against other men or in the form of male suicide.
Surely the aim is to reduce violence and help boys address the many challenges they currently face? The needed conversation isn’t about excusing behaviour. It’s more about ‘walking and chewing gum at the same time’. We need accountability but at same time we must ask why. The Good vs Evil focus simply asks what’s wrong with you rather than what happened to you. Young men are flaming out academically, sexually and in their relationships. We see these challenges globally. Addressing these challenges will not just be of benefit for boys and men but to society as a whole.
This past week England football manager Gareth Southgate delivered the annual Richard Dimbleby lecture. He talked about a need for more male role models to support young men who are falling prey to many online influencers. These men, or the ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ as I call them, suggest support for men when in fact their support is conditional on men following their views. At a time when male suicide continues to be a major issue, boys and men require unconditional support from others. These online influencers present a clear and present danger to boys and young men. They help create a climate where we see many of the issues I discuss above. When you live next to a chimney belching out black poisonous smoke your health will likely suffer. It’s the same here. The online world is a factor in creating the bad situation. Remember this isn’t excusing behaviour, more hoping to understand it.
I’m a big fan William Costello, who’s work on Incel Culture has helped me better understand the issues and to identify what is needed to really make a difference. One image he shared recently highlighted the risk posed by 3 factors.
- Poor mental health
- Ideology, and
- Networking
Together these led to an increased risk of rape myth acceptance, hostile sexism, displaced aggression, and acceptance of incel violence. It’s worthy of note that displaced violence is a psychological defence mechanism where a person redirects their anger to a less threatening or more available target. This suggests that whilst girls and women are often targets, they are not the sole target group. The three risk areas are all related to the situation that an individual finds themselves in.
When we start to explore any risk factor, we also begin to identify protective factors. In his lecture Gareth Southgate highlighted a need to build a belief and resilience for young men, and he cited three things needed to achieve this – identity, better connection, and culture. When we build character, create better connections and provide a supportive environment we help address the issues Southgate talks about. It’s a sort of skillset supported by healthy relationships. Ask yourself what do boys and young men need to be the best versions of themselves?
In 2009 the World Health Organisation suggested that one response to prevent violence was to retrofit life skills. For me, the required life skills are the ‘stuff’ needed for young men to be the men they want to be, and the men we need them to be. For me the ‘stuff’ needed includes
- An ability to find and keep friends.
- To be emotionally strong as well as being physically strong at the right time.
- To walk away from negative peer influence.
- To have in place a moral compass that contains a set of identified core values
- A lens that is aware that most of their peers think as they do
- Emotional Intelligence.
- To be healthy
- Tools to address the negative behaviours of their peers.
The discussion this past week has been focused on giving our boys and young men role models. I agree but more time and effort is needed to help them be the role models in their peer groups. When we do, we help others feel supported. Helping young men be leaders today and not simply tomorrow forms a big part of my current work. Remember leadership in this context isn’t about taking over. It’s more about developing a skills set to be an individual who is consistently respectful, compassionate, and a listener. It’s about having the moral courage to do what’s needed. Consistency is one of the most powerful forces in life. When you are consistent you will be successful in your career and in sport. Being able to do something over and over again is a skill and it’s how we get big results in sports and business. Why not in life also?
For the last 15 years I’ve had a specific focus on male violence. For me the way we speak about these issues hasn’t really moved on during this period. I hear people debate a need for accountability for the harm that is caused. For me that’s a given. I see people offering to go into schools to educate boys on misogyny. I see a sense of gloom in the language used both by the media and from some of those involved in the work. Remember bad news sells stories and research however a sole focus on the negative won’t address the problems faced. A different conversation is needed and one that follows the evidence. For me a more positive conversation is needed. I say this because it follows the science.
There’s a need to invite boys and men into conversations and not simply indict them. Telling boys and men not to behave badly or that they need to do more isn’t a good way to address current issues. Whilst it may appear to be the obvious thing to do it’s not an effective tool to prevent harm. I often think I go on a lot about the same thing however I still see many people doing things that aren’t backed up by evidence. A few years ago, I interviewed one of the pioneers of social norms approaches to prevent violence. I asked Dr Alan Berkowitz what works to engage boys and men in discussions on violence. First, he reminded me what doesn’t work. I highlight this above. He suggests correcting misperceptions amongst young men is key. We know from research that men often wrongly perceive that peers support sexist views. The reality is they don’t. When we correct these misperceptions, we help build that supportive culture Southgate discussed in his recent lecture.
Put yourself in a situation where you feel others don’t think as you do. Would speaking up be more difficult? It would. Would better knowing that your friends do support your views help? I think it would. This requires to be a focus for anyone working with young men. Help them see that their peers share healthy views. Next Berkowitz suggests providing them with tools to speak up when they hear unhealthy views. Berkowitiz presents us with evidence of what works. We need to listen to what works.
The ongoing discussion on the Netflix drama Adolescence presents us with a reachable and teachable moment and its one that we all should get ourselves involved in. The benefits of our action are clear. Less violence, better attainment in school, less male suicide, less homelessness and less drug deaths both of which are predominantly male issues. Surely this is something worth getting involved in.
grahamgoulden.com 