Should We Stay or Should We Go? A Social Psychological Model of Schisms in Groups

Abstract

The authors present and test a model of schismatic processes in social groups. According to this model, schismatic intentions are caused by the perception that a proposed new norm fundamentally changes a central aspect of group identity. Also, the impact of this perception on schismatic intentions is mediated by the belief that group identity has been subverted, whose effect on schismatic intentions is, in turn, mediated by perceived inability to voice dissent and perceived lack of group entitativity. Data from officials of the Church of England who are against the ordination of women to the priesthood (N = 211) fit the predicted model.