Dissertation Project
Naming, Shaming, and Feeling: The Emotional Dynamics of International Human Rights Shaming and Bystander Reactions

Abstract: International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) frequently employ “naming and shaming” strategies to expose human rights violations and pressure perpetrators into compliance with international norms. However, the mechanisms through which such efforts are effective is understudied. In doing so, this dissertation looks at the influence of bystander citizens and addresses the question: When and how does naming and shaming influence bystander citizen responses to human rights violations abroad? I argue that emotional responses—particularly anger, fear, and empathy—shape individuals’ willingness to support advocacy efforts aimed at mitigating further violations. I propose an original framework identifying three factors that affect emotional arousal: the identity of the shamer, identity of the victim’s identity, and the source through which they learn about the shaming. Focusing on women’s rights and physical integrity violations, my research design combines interviews with INGO campaign managers, survey experiments in the United States and India, with lab experiments utilizing psychophysiological measures to analyze emotional arousal amongst bystander citizens. This project thus deepens our understanding of the psychological mechanisms behind bystander responses to improve the effectiveness of naming and shaming efforts and contributes to scholarship on human rights, public opinion, and the micro-foundations of IR.
Methodology: Interviews, Survey Experiments, Psycho-physiological Lab Experiments
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