The Social Identity Model of Collective Action

Obama: "We must strengthen trust."

The FERGUSON

MOVEMENT

Collective Action & Violence

How has the movement thus far reflected the principles of this model? How might this model create a greater impact?

In what ways do you think this model is inadequate - what would you add?

Social Identity

Social Identity Theory motivates people to associate with normatively positive groups. The permeability of the social group determines the actions of members who want to leave.

Perceived Injustice

Why is Ferguson Sparking

a Millennial Movement?

Methodology

Additional Terms

Each of the three variables (injustice, efficacy and identity) was examined within their own subset and in the context of all 182 studies.

Moderating variables: politicized identity,

structural vs. incidental disadvantage,

age and gender.

Objective deprivation initiates action, but does not sufficiently explain phenomenon of collective action.

Relative Deprivation Theory proposes that feelings of deprivation must be based on social comparisons to similar, specific others in order to foster collective action.

Methodology

182 independent samples met inclusion criteria

(65 for injustice, 53 for efficacy, and

64 for identity)

Injustice, N= 15,885

Efficacy, N=12,758

Identity, N=10,051

Included studies had to quantify the association between one or more predictors and collective action. Literature review keywords: collective action, social protest, injustice, unfairness, deprivation, agency, efficacy, solidarity.

Perceived Efficacy

Efficacy involves the group's belief that collective action will result in achievement of group goals.

Group agency provides a sense of strength that is a key motivator.

van Zomeren, Postmes & Spears, 2008

Results

If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Types of injustice, identity, disadvantage and group were all moderating variables.

Affective injustice increased effect size.

Politicized identity increased effect size.

Identity predicted both structural and incidental disadvantage; injustice and efficacy tend to be more predictive of incidental disadvantage.

The role of injustice, efficacy and identity in motivating individuals to engage in collective action.

Results

Implications

Injustice, efficacy and identity were all found to be moderately significant motivators (r=.34-.38)

as each variable has a strong relationship with collective action.

Attitude > intention > behavior

Cultural implications regarding injustice, efficacy and identity: structural disadvantage in certain contexts?

Implications for Practice

"SIMCA offers powerful and straightforward implications for practice through its conclusion that social identity is at the very heart of explanations of collective action. [The] stronger sense of social identity ... [the] stronger the motivation to engage in collective action."

The Social Identity Model of Collective Action