A dynamic model of engagement in normative and non-normative collective action: Psychological antecedents, consequences, and barriers

Abstract

This review addresses three recent developments in the collective action literature. First, we demonstrate that normative and non-normative collective action participation can be predicted by different psychological variables. Second, we show that collective action participation has emotional and identity-related consequences for activists that shape their motivation to engage in future action. Third, we illustrate that members of disadvantaged groups are faced with two dilemmas—the dilemma of alternative ways of identity management and the dilemma of affective loyalties towards the outgroup—both of which present barriers to social change by undermining protest intentions. In the final part of the review, we outline an integrative framework that maps out the dynamic processes between antecedents of, barriers to and outcomes of collective action participation and highlight a number of directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Collective action
• Protest
• Social change
• Non-normative collective action
• Disadvantaged groups
• Disidentification
• Identity management
• Contact
• Terrorism