Week 2: Grievances, Efficacy, & Identity

Relative Deprivation Theory

the awareness of one’s deprivation compared to another

Egoistic Deprivation

individual comparison

Fraternalistic Deprivation

group-level comparison

Becker (2012, 1D)

M- 126 women randomly assigned read a text about women in the workforces, they had to reflect on current situation and desire to engage in collective action

R- downward group had reduced interest for CA, upward group had negative evaluation and greater interest for CA

Smith & Oritz (2002)

M- meta-analysis of over 350 studies

R- significant link between relative deprivation and CA, feelings of deprivation are stronger than just awareness

D- mainly western studies but majority ethnic minority samples

Van Zomeren et al (2008)- injustice

M- meta-analysis of 65 samples (N = ~15,000)

R- in experimental studies injustice is associated with CA (r = .36), affective injustice is stronger predictor of CA than non-affective injustice

Resource Mobilization Theory

a group’s resources (time, money) are an important consideration for CA 

Van Zomeren et al (2008)- efficacy

M- meta-analysis of 53 samples (N = ~13,000)

R- experimental efficacy perceptions predict CA (r = .36)

Van Zomeren et al (2012)

M- dutch student (N = 118) completed a survey that measured group, participative and individual efficacy beliefs

R- group and participative efficacy are significant predictors of CA intention

Saab et al (2015)

M- survey of London protesters in solidarity for Palestine

R- found that identity consolidation efficacy indirectly predicts CA through political efficacy

Van Zomeren et al (2008)- identity

R- social identification with a disadvantaged group/movement predicts CA

Types of Identity

• social category

• politicized identification (typically more effective as specifies target)

Simon & Klandermans (2001) Stages of Politicisation

1. awareness of grievances

2. adversarial attributions

3. societal involvement by triangulation

Criticisms of Identity

most people hold a plethora of identities (e.g. jews for Palestine, queers for Palestine)

Social Identity Theory

a group member that identifies with the ingroup should attempt to positively distinguish themselves from the outgroup

Criticisms of Social Identity Theory

some people do not attempt to positively distinguish their group due to: legitimacy, permeability, and stability

Sturmer & Simon (2004)

M- literature review of a range of issues

R- a dual pathway may better explain predictors of CA

Moral Conviction

an individual’s self-guides

Moral Obligation

the motivation to act according to moral conviction

Moral Absolutism

a matter is viewed as right or wrong, rather than an opinion

Van Zomeren et al (2004, study 1)

social identity was more important when there was an in-group disadvantage