1. Predictors of Collective Action in the Occupy Movement G. Scott Morgan 1 & Wing-Yi Chan 2 1 Drew University, 2 Georgia State University ABSTRACT We investigated the psychological mechanisms that shape people’s willingness to engage in different kinds of collective action, using the Occupy Movement as a naturally-occurring example. Data was collected from supporters of the Occupy movement at the Wall Street (OWS) encampment, and from participating occupiers at both the OWS and Occupy Atlanta (OA) encampments. Analyses indicated that participants made meaningful distinctions between kinds of collective action based on costs (e.g., effort and risk). Identity predicted supporters’ willingness to engage in low cost activism—an effect mediated by anger. Identity predicted supporters’ willingness to engage in costly activism and occupiers’ willingness to continue activism despite material, social, and physical risks. These effects were mediated by efficacy. Introduction Collective action (CA) refers to any behavior that individuals enact on behalf of a group with the goal of improving the group’s condition (e.g., van Zomeren, Postmes, & Spears, 2008). We predict that people think differently about specific examples of CA based on the degree and kind of costs involved (e.g., Brunsting & Postmes, 2002; Klandermans, 1984). The dual pathway model of CA predicts that (van Zomeren, Leach, & Spears, 2012): Identity  efficacy  activism Identity  anger  activism We predicted that the former path would predict low cost CA, and the latter path would predict high cost CA. Methods Overview Participants 69 OWS supporters, 67 OWS Occupiers, 56 OA Occupiers Predictors Identity. Participants reported their identification with Occupy (7 items, e.g., “How much do you identify with Occupy protesters as a group?”). Efficacy. Participants reported their degree of efficacy (6 items, e.g., “How much do you feel that your actions could make a real difference?”). Anger. Participants reported the degree to which they felt anger Outcomes for Supporters = willingness to engage in: Low cost activism (2 items, e.g., sign a petition,) Moderate to high cost activism (8 items, e.g., attend events sponsored by Occupy, sleep in Zuccotti Park) Outcomes for Occupiers = willingness to continue activism despite: Material costs (7 items, e.g., fines) Social & moderate physical costs (5 items, e.g., damage to relationships, physical discomfort) Major physical costs (2 items, i.e., physical injury, death). Discussion Different variables predicted low and high cost activism. The identity  anger  activism pathway predicted supporters’ willingness to engage in low-cost activism. The identity  efficacy  activism pathway predicted supporters’ willingness to engage in costly activism, and occupiers’ willingness to continue activism despite material, social, and physical risks. These findings provide a clearer understanding of the psychological processes underlying protest, and have real-world implications for the recruitment and retention of social movement participants. Identity Low Cost Initial Activism Anger Efficacy Activism.17.18*.65*** (.44**).40*.80*** Identity Mod. To High Cost Initial Activism Anger Efficacy Activism.45**.05.59*** (.21).40*.80*** Identity Anger Efficacy Activism.91***.00.65** (.27).53*.41** Identity Anger Efficacy Activism.88*** -.07.46* (.13).53*.41** Identity Anger Efficacy Activism.72** -.09.69* (.44).53*.41** Material Costs Social & Moderate Physical Costs Major Physical Costs Supporters Occupiers