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Problem Statement and Objectives
United States military forces needed to improve crowd control in the Middle East and reduce violent conflict between crowds and crowd controllers through a more sophisticated understanding of Middle Eastern crowd dynamics. ARA was asked to help the U.S. military:
- Determine the nature and characteristics of Middle Eastern crowds
- Identify the critical decisions that security force members make in crowd situations
- Develop an approach for cultural training
ARA conducted a study of Middle Eastern crowd participant and security force decision making. We collected descriptions of crowd incidents from Lebanese, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian demonstration and riot participants, as well as highly experienced and culturally astute security personnel who had experience with demonstrations and riots in Lebanon or Iraq. The study examined U.S. and Middle Eastern mental models of crowds. The study also addressed the implication of the “oppression schema” as a prevalent mental representation that regulates perceptions and decisions in the Middle East. The “oppression schema” suggested that when crowd members construed events or action by security forces in terms of oppression, i.e., associating the security force with an oppressive authority, the crowd is likely to sanction resistance against even a heavily armed security force for the opportunity to overthrow the oppressor and gain great honor.
Results and Benefits
ARA developed a cultural model of Middle Eastern crowd decision making that provides U.S. forces with vital information to help keep them safe and control potentially explosive situations. The study shows a clear, statistically significant relationship between force escalation and increasing conflict with the crowds. The study shows an even stronger relationship (more than two to one) at being able to decrease conflict when security forces show restraint and understanding with the concerns of the crowd. ARA developed a new approach to cultural training called Situated Cultural Training, and created an education package for use by U.S. personnel who may need to manage crowds in the Middle East.
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Massive demonstration at Martyr’s Square, Beirut, Lebanon (March 14, 2005).
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