An Integrative Model of Motivations for Movement Participation: The Case of Anti-Japanese Demonstrations in China

• In Event: 463 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 13. Movement Emergence

Abstract

From the literature on individuals’ motivations to participate in social movements, we identify four distinct approaches (structural, cultural, rational and emotional). They stress the role of interpersonal networks, collective identity, perceived efficacy and risks, and group-based anger in motivating individuals’ participation, respectively. Instead of viewing them as independent of one another, this study develops an integrative model that incorporates the four approaches. We argue that the factors emphasized by the four approaches are interrelated but do not assume equal status. Interpersonal networks, collective identity, perceived efficacy and risks, and group-based anger all directly influence participation motivations. Moreover, interpersonal networks and collective identity also influence participation motivations indirectly through shaping perceived efficacy and risks and group-based anger. We apply this model to the study of China’s recent nationwide anti-Japanese demonstrations. In 2014 we conducted a large-scale survey of 1458 university students in Beijing. Using this original dataset and structural equation modeling (SEM), we find the proposed integrative model effective in explaining university students’ motivations to participate in future anti-Japanese demonstrations.

Authors

• Min Zhou, University of Victoria

• Hanning Wang, University of Victoria