Regresar

The 15-M movement: Actions as rituals, social sharing, beliefs, values and emotions

Abstract:

A correlational study (N = 243 students and workers) compared beliefs, values, emotions, and group processes between participants and non-participants in the 15-M movement. Participants share more postmaterialist values and beliefs about identity, injustice and collective efficacy than non-participants. They report, in comparison with non participants, more anger and collective shame, and higher hope that the social movement succeeds. Shame and hope mediate between beliefs of injustice and collective efficacy, respectively, and participation in the movement. Emotional communion and collective identification were higher in 15-M demonstrations than in more routine group activities. Communion was associated with beliefs and values related to 15-M movement and social support. Participants mistrust institutions more and perceive an emotional climate of more anger. Greater emotional communion and collective identification reinforces social support and an emotional climate of anger specifically in 15-M participants. Social sharing reinforces emotions and values. Results are discussed in a neo-Durkheimian model convergent with the social identity approach.