Four Core Social-Psychological Motivations to Undertake Collective Action

Abstract

Collective action against collective disadvantage is a theoretically and socially relevant phenomenon that has received increased scientific attention in recent years. Because recent work combines different theoretical traditions, the last decade can be rightly called an 'age of integration'. In this article, I take stock and look ahead by briefly reviewing four core social-psychological motivations for undertaking collective action (based on identity, morality, emotion, and efficacy). I then review recent accumulating evidence for an encompassing social-psychological model of collective action that integrates all four core motivations. Based on this model's shortcomings, I close by calling for an 'age of innovation' for which I propose a theoretical and research agenda. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.