NYC Gazette

Soap operas are often associated with dramatic plots, but an NYU researcher suggests they can also be effective in preventing intergroup violence in conflict-prone areas by shaping social norms, promoting understanding, and encouraging change.

Rezarta Bilali, associate professor of psychology at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, has analyzed narrative interventions used in fictional storytelling to prevent violence in countries such as Rwanda, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her findings are published in the European Review of Social Psychology.

"We have only recently started to understand the power of narrative interventions to address intergroup conflict and violence, and the different ways in which narratives can influence conflict-related behaviors, social norms, and attitudes," says Bilali.

Bilali identifies seven strategies (known as psychological mechanisms) for individual and social change:

- Social norms—showing desired behaviors in a community

- Role modeling—using characters to encourage or discourage behavior

- Moral exemplars—characters demonstrating exceptional behavior (e.g., heroism)

- Awareness-raising and critical reflection—highlighting important social issues

- Perspective-taking and empathy—exposing audiences to counternarratives

- Parasocial contact—showing fictional encounters with "outsiders"

- Group malleability beliefs—promoting the perception that groups can change over time

Bilali notes that these strategies are often interconnected but through her research found links between isolated mechanisms and distinct outcomes.

### Interventions around the world

In post-genocide Rwanda, two experimental studies explored the impact of a radio soap opera titled Musekeweya that depicted a violent land dispute and eventual reconciliation between two villages. The studies found that the drama increased intergroup trust.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bilali and colleagues conducted a field experiment using two versions of the radio drama Kumbuka Kesho. Participants exposed to episodes where characters addressed community issues like corruption showed more willingness to address grievances and had greater belief in collective ability to effect change.

In Burkina Faso's Sahel region, a 12-week radio drama aimed at countering violent extremism led listeners to exhibit lower justification of violence and higher intentions to collaborate with security forces compared to those not exposed. They were also more likely to prioritize violent extremism as a critical issue needing attention.

While narrative interventions have shown positive outcomes, some studies revealed potential pitfalls. Bilali noted that narratives are more effective post-conflict than during conflicts because depictions of war may exacerbate real-life stress for participants.

"There are some socio-political contexts related to societal expectations, prevalent norms, and policies that can make interventions more or less effective in conflict settings," says Bilali. "Overall, narrative interventions have shown to have a beneficial impact and should continue to be used as a tool for forging positive pathways forward among groups in conflict."