The social affirmation use of social media as a motivator of collective action

• DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12375
• Publication Date: 2016-02-09T02:44:09Z
• Authors: Anna Kende; Martijn van Zomeren; Adrienn Ujhelyi; Nóra Anna Lantos
• Keywords: Collective Action; Identification

Abstract The mobilizing potential of the internet has been widely recognized but also sharply criticized. We propose and test in two studies that social affirmation use media motivates individuals for collective action to achieve change. In Study 1, we surveyed participants a university occupation found enduring participation was predicted by use, mediated group identification. 2 experimentally tested our hypothesis, results which confirmed forum (and particular its interactive aspect) motivated discuss theoretical practical implications findings theory research on internet.