Perception and the emotional reaction of those in the high-status group is also an important indicator of motivation. Members who perceive the prejudice and discrimination to be unfair and have a negative emotional response (anger not pity) to it are more likely to participate or support collective action regarding changing ideas and policy.

High-Status groups motivation factors: Collective action

It is important to note that as there are many characteristics that are considered negative and produce a disadvantage that many individuals can fall into both sides depending on the issues. 

Separation Into Low- and High-status groups in collective action

 The high-status group is those who are not disadvantaged as they do not have the negative characteristics.


  -Those who belong to the high-status group tend to engage in oppressive acts. These acts can be something like perpetuating stereotypes, ignoring prejudice, minimizing impact. etc. Members of the high-status group engage in these acts because the acts are normalized through exposure as well as encouraged by other members.


Albion College

Collective action is the actions/behaviors of a group of individuals working towards the same goal or common objective. The individuals tend to be like-minded in the way that they believe that the completion of their goal(s) will make their life better.

Collective Action

Van Zomeren, M. and Iyer, A. (2009), Introduction to the Social and Psychological Dynamics of Collective Action. Journal of Social Issues, 65: 645-660. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2009.01618.x

Introduction to the Social and Psychological Dynamics of Collective Action

Social Movement is the collective action of a group of like-minded individuals and/or organizations. The group tends to be closely organized and is focused on creating change according to their ideals. A majority of famous social movements have been focused on creating change and a better place for those who have been marginalized or mistreated.  

Social Movement

Social change is the process in which structures  and features in government change as a result of social movements 

Social change

1. Relative deprivation theory (RDT)
    - perceptions and emotions of group-based injustice
2. Social identity theory (SIT)
    - (politicized) social identification
3. Instrumental cost-benefit analysis
    -  instrumental cost-benefit expectations of available resources 

Collective action theories 

When discussing collective action the low-status group is defined as the group that is at a disadvantage because of the social, political, structural, etc. systems set up and maintained by those who are in the high-status group that discriminates because of a select characteristic.

1. the low-status group needs to have a sense of psychological collective empowerment as that helps elevate the feelings/idea that they can create change. This helps motivate individuals to participate in collective action.


Collective action: Low-status groups

Collective action: High-status groups

Contentious Collective action is when a group of like-minded individuals are working together to achieve a goal. The goal of the group or the process used to achieve their goal is contentious, controversial, or argumentative. 

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