The Injustice–Efficacy Tradeoff: Counteracting Indirect Effects of Goal Proximity on Collective Action

Hartwich, Lea; Radke, Helena R.M.; Kutlaca, Maja; Becker, Julia C.

doi:10.1177/19485506221093108

The Injustice–Efficacy Tradeoff: Counteracting Indirect Effects of Goal Proximity on Collective Action

Hartwich, Lea; Radke, Helena R.M.; Kutlaca, Maja; Becker, Julia C.

Authors

Lea Hartwich

Helena R.M. Radke

Dr Maja Kutlaca maja.kutlaca@durham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor

Julia C. Becker

Abstract

Based on dual-pathway models of collective action, this research examines how social movements’ proximity to their stated goal affects potential supporters’ willingness and motivations to engage. Across three experimental studies in two different contexts, and for members of both the disadvantaged ingroups and advantaged outgroups (total N = 1,102), we find consistent support for two counteracting indirect effects of goal distance on collective action. When movements are closer to their goals, potential supporters perceive less injustice, which reduces their willingness to engage in collective action for the movements’ cause via the emotion-focused pathway. At the same time, perceptions of political efficacy increase, bolstering engagement via the problem-focused pathway. We conclude that while goal proximity does not seem to affect overall intentions to engage in collective action, it does affect the motivational paths to it, which makes it a relevant factor to consider in both research and social justice contexts.

Citation

Hartwich, L., Radke, H. R., Kutlaca, M., & Becker, J. C. (2023). The Injustice–Efficacy Tradeoff: Counteracting Indirect Effects of Goal Proximity on Collective Action. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 14(2), 173-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221093108

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	May 7, 2022
Publication Date	2023-03
Deposit Date	Jun 23, 2022
Publicly Available Date	Mar 7, 2023
Journal	Social Psychological and Personality Science
Print ISSN	1948-5506
Electronic ISSN	1948-5514
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	14
Issue	2
Pages	173-184
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221093108

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