Investigating the role of identity and identities on normative and non-normative collective action intention: a study in post-conflict Northern Ireland during Brexit

Abstract

This PhD seeks to investigate normative and non-normative action by integrating understanding and approaches from the notably siloed research fields of collective action and radicalisation.

The first studies consider McCauley and Moskalenko’s Activism and Radicalism Intentions Scales (ARIS; 2009), currently the most widely used measure of activist and radical action intention, and extend the measure to capture a wider range of collective actions, considering extreme actions that were excluded during the original scale development process. In contrast to within the original scale development (McCauley & Moskalenko, 2009), the findings within Studies 1 and 2suggest that items measuring more extreme violent actions load onto the same factor as less extreme illegal or violent actions. Using a person-centred approach, the extended version of ARIS is used to define groups within the population based on their action intentions. Through Latent Profile Analysis, three groups are identified corresponding to groups defined as inert, legal actors and illegal actors. In Study 5,movement between these groups, representing legal and illegal activation and deactivation was demonstrated through Latent Transition Analysis.

Supportive actions based on understanding of women’s role in radical groups including during the Troubles were investigated in Studies 6 and 7, as ARIS was argued not to capture the full range of understanding of radical actions observed in this population. Items measuring supportive action intentions were developed. The two-factor structure of ARIS was preserved, with items measuring legal supportive actions loading alongside legal direct actions and, equivalently, items developed to measure support for illegal or violent actions loaded alongside items measuring illegal and violent action intention onto a second factor.

The literature is in agreement that identification with a group is fundamental to normative and non-normative action, but identity is typically operationalised as a unidimensional construct, so it is unclear what it is about identity that makes someone act, break the law, or commit violent acts for the benefit of their group.

Four approaches to the measurement of identity are investigated. The role of in-group status (integrating a core tenet of Social Identity Theory), dimensions of identity, a series of constructs that are aligned to identity (common fate, identity fusion, disidentification) and patterns of identification with multiple groups. Findings suggest the importance of perceived in-group status, identity centrality and common fate in in activist and radical action intention. Study 10 uses Latent Profile Analysis to define the in-group based on patterns of identification with multiple different groups, finding that how we choose to measure and define group membership alters our interpretation of group behaviour. This interrogation of identity introduces nuance to our understanding of what identity means in the context of collective action.

The thesis is based on data collected in Northern Ireland during Brexit, in a period when identities were under threat and discussions of borders were associated with fears of a return to the previous violence. The political conditions of the time provided an opportunity for an investigation of how different approaches to understanding identity relate to legal, illegal, and violent collective action.

Findings highlight the importance of the use of scales that are appropriate to the population and context of research, and the complexity and nuance of the relationship between identity (and identities) and collective action.

Date of Award	May 2026
Original language	English
Supervisor	Claire Campbell (Supervisor), Susan Lagdon (Supervisor), Abbie Cahoon (Supervisor) & Magnus Lindén (Supervisor)