Various faces of activist identity: The role of intrinsic and materialistic goals and mass gatherings

Abstract

AbstractThe presented research explores the relationship between intrinsic and materialistic goals and activist identity and commitment, and whether this relationship is moderated by participation in a mass gathering. Six studies were conducted (n = 997). These included participants of mass gatherings for diverse purposes, for example, minority rights demonstrations and religious gatherings (Studies 1–4), as well as participants from the general population (Studies 5 and 6). The results of regression analysis and meta‐analysis showed that the pursuit of both intrinsic and materialistic goals predicts activist identity and commitment. Regardless of whether respondents were involved in a mass gathering during the study or not, and regardless of the cause of the gathering, community feeling—an intrinsic goal—was consistently a positive significant predictor of activist identity and commitment (Study 1–6). However, for respondents who were not involved in a mass gathering during the study, popularity—a materialistic goal – also emerged as an important positive predictor of activist identity and commitment (Study 5 and 6). Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.