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Predictors and Correlates of Collective Action

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Abstract

Social identity theory suggests that feminist identity should predict engagement in collective action on behalf of women. We examined predictors of collective action by asking female college students (N = 215) to complete a set of questionnaires that measure life experiences, beliefs about feminism and collective action, feminist self-labeling, and involvement in women-focused collective activities. Life experiences (i.e., having a feminist mother, having taken a women's studies class, and having experienced sex discrimination), feminist attitudes and beliefs, feminist self-labeling, and belief in collective action were positively correlated with collective action, whereas conservatism was negatively correlated with collective action. A logistic stepwise regression revealed that the Synthesis stage of feminist identity development was the only variable that uniquely contributed to predicting feminist activism.

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Correspondence to Miriam Liss.

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Liss, M., Crawford, M. & Popp, D. Predictors and Correlates of Collective Action. Sex Roles 50, 771–779 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000029096.90835.3f

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000029096.90835.3f

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