Fanaticism Through the Looking Glass of Simulations

• Published in: Journal of political science education Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 197 - 221
• Main Authors: Ben-Yehuda, Hemda, Zohar, Guy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.04.2018; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Affective Behavior; Affective Measures; Appeasement; Attainment; College Students; Conflict negotiations; Conflict Resolution; Coping; Course Evaluation; Crises; Educational Objectives; Expectations; experimental learning; Extremism; fanaticism; Foreign Countries; Heuristic; Higher education; Ideology; Learning; Negotiation; pedagogy; Political Science; Prejudice; Pretests Posttests; Simulation; simulations; Student Attitudes; Student Surveys; Teaching Methods; Israel
• ISSN: 1551-2169; 1551-2177
• DOI: 10.1080/15512169.2017.1418367

This research offers innovative ways to study fanaticism in higher education. It builds on simulations of regional crises to test four expectations and discusses their implications. The first, on the benefits of experimental learning, is supported: participants identify with their actors and show little empathy to rivals, indicating they learn the script and play seriously. So simulations provide an effective method to study fanaticism and should be used more frequently. Findings on crisis negotiations show that participants disregard fanaticism in the scenario, consider themselves as moderates, and label rivals as fanatic. Rather than admitting deadlock or defeat, they regard negotiation outcomes as compromise. These results refute three expectations: perceptions of fanaticism are not knowledge-based or bias/prejudice free; success and outcome assessment are not based on relative goal attainment; and common heuristics rather than individual inclinations shape perceptions and ways of coping with fanaticism. Together, negotiations, feedback, and in-depth debriefing on appeasement, other policy alternatives, and the role heuristics create a comprehensive simulation experience. Further applications of experimental learning in political science could enhance the role of education as a crucial means to confront fanaticism and minimize its dangers.