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 also 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.