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A Conceptualisation of Help Avoidance as Motivated Inaction: Implications for Theory, Research and Society

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Intergroup Helping

Abstract

Complementing current insights about the strategic motives of outgroup helping, the present chapter analyses the strategic motives underlying help avoidance. Conceptualising this phenomenon as a form of inaction, I propose that help avoidance is a strategic response to disadvantage that is motivated by identity concerns. Theoretical support for this proposition is provided building on sociological theory on dominance and resistance, intergroup helping, and contemporary social psychological theories. Empirical evidence is available to support the main propositions developed throughout the chapter; however, systematic insights into the phenomenon are lacking so far. Given the adverse effects motivated inaction can unfold in societies, more research is warranted to advance our theoretical understanding of group members’ responses to disadvantage.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Colin Leach for his invaluable comments on an earlier version of this chapter.

This research was supported by a Veni grant (#451-15-035) awarded to the author by The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).

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  1. Department of HRM & OB, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, Nettelbosje 2, 9747 AE, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Susanne Täuber

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Correspondence to Susanne Täuber .

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  1. Department of Social and Organisational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Esther van Leeuwen

  2. Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom

    Hanna Zagefka

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Täuber, S. (2017). A Conceptualisation of Help Avoidance as Motivated Inaction: Implications for Theory, Research and Society. In: van Leeuwen, E., Zagefka, H. (eds) Intergroup Helping. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53026-0_11

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