Social Networks, Movement Identification, and Participation in an Environmental Movement

• In Event: 046 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Environmental Movements

Abstract

Past research has demonstrated that individuals and groups are often recruited into social movements via social networks (McAdam 1986, Diani 1995). Further, ongoing participation in social movements is affected by patterns of social network ties to other participants (Tindall 2002, McAdam 1989). A variety of processes and mechanisms underlie the association between node centrality and individual participation in social movements, including the diffusion of information, social influence, and social support. One network-based process is social movement identification. Research has shown positive associations between social network centrality, movement identification, and participation (Tindall 2004). A theoretical explanation for these associations can be provided by reference to social comparison processes (Gartrell 1987). Further, it should be noted that the relationship between network ties and social movement participation is reciprocal: greater ties facilitate participation, but increased participation also leads to the development of more ties (Tindall 2004). The present research investigates the relationships amongst network centrality, movement identification, and movement participation by analyzing survey data from a nation-wide probability sample of environmental organization members in Canada. We examine several measures of node centrality based on overlapping organization memberships, and also based on weak ties amongst organization members, in order to explore and illustrate the use of social network analysis in the domain of social movement research.

Authors

• David B. Tindall, University of British Columbia

• Joanna L Robinson, York University

• Mark C.J. Stoddart, Memorial University-Newfoundland