The dark side of pursuing self-esteem and identity

socio-cognitive biases in conflicts over locally unwanted land uses

Terri Mannarini

Michele Roccato

pp. 71-83

in: Giovanni Scarafile, Leah Gruenpeter Gold (eds), Paradoxes of conflicts, Berlin, Springer, 2016

Abstract

Building on a social psychological perspective that is centered on intergroup relations, the chapter focuses on analyzing Locally Unwanted Land Use (LULU) conflicts, i.e., conflicts that oppose the siting process of facilities, such as nuclear stations, incinerators, transport infrastructures, or facilities for stigmatized groups. It is argued that ordinary intergroup socio-cognitive processes impact the actors' proclivity to engage in pro-ingroup actions, and that the knowledge of such processes is crucial for advancing understandings of LULU conflict dynamics. The effects of three intergroup bias manifestations are discussed, specifically the ingroup over-exclusion tendency, the false consensus bias, and outgroup infra-humanization. Research found that all of these biases impact the development and radicalization of LULU conflicts and are exacerbated by perceived threat to residents' identities. Moreover, these processes are symmetric for people who are in favor and against building the facility. Implications for managing LULU conflicts are discussed.