Does group efficacy increase group identification? Resolving their paradoxical relationship

Martijn van Zomeren , Colin Wayne Leach , Russell Spears

Although group identification and group efficacy are both important predictors of collective action against collective disadvantage, there is mixed evidence for their (causal) relationship. Meta-analytic and correlational evidence suggests an overall positive relationship that has been interpreted as consistent with the idea that group identification leads to group efficacy. However, experimental evidence has not supported this causal relationship. To resolve this paradox, we show in an experiment that it is group efficacy that leads to increased group identification because group efficacy puts individuals' identity into action. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Mots clés: Group efficacy; Group identification; Collective action; Coping

Domaines: Psychologie et comportements

Martijn van Zomeren, Colin Wayne Leach, Russell Spears. Does group efficacy increase group identification? Resolving their paradoxical relationship. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2010, 46 (6), pp.1055. ⟨10.1016/j.jesp.2010.05.006⟩. ⟨hal-00864365⟩