Abstract
AbstractWe argue that pity can motivate collective action intentions toward groups that are both politically and economically deprived. We tested this connection in four online surveys and an experiment. In Study 1 (N = 1,007), pity for the Roma in Hungary predicted collective action intentions, which was replicated in Study 2 in connection with refugees in Germany (N = 191) and in Hungary (N = 563). Study 3 (N = 475) demonstrated that for not economically but politically disadvantaged groups (e.g., sexual minorities), pity was not a predictor of ally action. In an experiment (Study 4, N = 447), pity was just as strong a predictor of collective action intentions as outrage on behalf of an economically and politically disadvantaged outgroup. Pity can be a mobilizing emotion when it comes to groups that are both economically and politically disadvantaged; however, outrage remains more important in the absence of economic hardship.
Highlights
We argue that pity can motivate collective action intentions toward groups that are both politically and economically deprived
Injustice awareness had a weaker connection to pity and pity did not relate to donation intentions, which suggests in this particular intergroup context, pity is not linked to donation intentions
In studies 1-3 we examined the connection between pity and collective action intentions compared to outrage in connection with different groups using cross-sectional survey data
Summary
We argue that pity can motivate collective action intentions toward groups that are both politically and economically deprived. Advantaged group members can show support for such groups either by fulfilling their material needs by donations, volunteerism, and charitable acts or by engaging in political action as allies to gain political recognition, fight injustices, and achieve change in the intergroup status quo (Marullo, & Edwards, 2000; Radke, Kutlaca, Siem, Wright, & Becker, in press) In this context, the distinction between prosocial emotions and outrage, and between benevolent and activist support (Thomas & McGarty, 2018) is blurred because motivations of alleviating the suffering of the disadvantaged group and fighting the structural injustice can co-exist (Becker, Ksenofontov, Siem, & Love, 2018; Kende, Lantos, Belinszky, Csaba, & Lukács, 2017). Outrage is a politicized emotion in response to the violation of moral convictions (van Zomeren, Postmes, Spears, & Bettache, 2011), it fosters collective action (Thomas & McGarty, 2009)
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