Collective psychological empowerment
See our research on collective psychological empowerment which has found a possible link between identity, positive emotion and wellbeing among people involved in collective events.
The project
Collective action such as mass protest can change society. Such action may also impact upon the psychology of the protestors themselves.
This research strand grew out of our studies of identity change in collective action. The findings suggest a link between identity, positive emotion and wellbeing among people involved in collective events. Specifically, field and experimental studies have shown the way that identity-congruence in mass activism can promote a positive enhanced sense of agency.
Collaborators on this work include colleagues and research students in Greece, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
For details of studies and results, see:
- Drury, J., Cocking, C., Beale, J., Hanson, C., & Rapley, F. (2005). British Journal of Social Psychology, 44(3), 309-328.
- Drury, J., Evripidou, A., & Van Zomeren, M. (2015). Empowerment: The intersection of identity and power in collective action. In D. Sindic, M. Barreto, & R. Costa-Lopes (Eds.), (pp. 94-116). Psychology Press.
- Drury, J., & Reicher, S. (1999). Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 2(4), 381-402.
- Drury, J., & Reicher, S. (2005). European Journal of Social Psychology, 35(1), 35-58.
- Drury, J., & Reicher, S. (2009). Journal of Social Issues, 65(4), 707-725.
- Evripidou, A., & Drury, J. (2013). Contention: The Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Protest, 1, 31-51.
- Further articles:
- Collective action is good for you! One version of this article also included reference to the positive benefits of student occupations!