Social Psychological Processes Underlying Collective Action in Repressive Contexts: What We Know and Ways Forward for Future Research

Abstract

Abstract Social psychological research recently gained momentum in studying collective action in more repressive and non-democratic contexts. The present chapter provides a detailed account of the social psychological processes underlying engagement in nonviolent collective action at a micro (individual) level when facing risks of repression, and how perceived repression shapes these processes. We draw on our quantitative findings from Egypt, Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Turkey. We locate our work within the broader interdisciplinary literature. We also propose possible directions research can take to further our understanding of collective action in repressive contexts. Among others, we highlight the need to explore in more detail the nature of repression (e.g., type, severity, duration) and identities (e.g., multiple identities, non-unified movement), compare authoritarian and democratic contexts, and consider different antecedents (e.g., affective loyalties, contextual and cultural factors) and consequences (e.g., well-being). We discuss challenges for future research and implications for protest leaders and organizers.