Zero-sum beliefs shape advantaged allies’ support for collective action |
| |
Authors: | Anna Stefaniak Robyn K Mallett Michael J A Wohl |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada;2. Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Three studies (N1 = 1,019; N2 = 312; N3 = 494) tested whether seeing intergroup relations as inherently antagonistic shaped advantaged social groups’ allyship intentions. More specifically, we tested whether endorsing zero-sum beliefs related to their willingness to support system-challenging and system-supporting collective action. Zero-sum beliefs were negatively correlated with system-challenging and positively correlated with system-supporting collective action intentions. Zero-sum beliefs were more common among advantaged than disadvantaged groups and translated into lower allyship intentions. Advantaged group members with higher levels of zero-sum beliefs were also more likely to experience anger and fear when considering the demographic racial shift in the United States. Increased fear was associated with greater support for system-supporting and lower support for system-challenging collective action. We find consistent evidence that advantaged group members see intergroup relations as a zero-sum game and that these beliefs are negatively related to their intentions to become allies. |
| |
Keywords: | allies collective action intergroup attitudes racial demographic shift zero-sum beliefs |
|
|