Sottile, Beatrice (2025) How Activist Dilemmas Lead to Internal Fragmentation Within Environmental Movements: the Role of Dyadic Harm and Urgency. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Environmental activist movements often face internal disagreements that can escalate into internal fragmentation, threatening their cohesion and long-term impact. Disagreements may concern group strategies or core values, which can be perceived as moral violations and lead to the perception that other group members are intentionally perpetuating harm. This study examines how perceived dyadic harm, whether value-based or strategy-based, and perceived urgency interact to influence internal fragmentation. Based on psychological theories of moralization and collective action, we predict that value-based harm will lead to greater internal fragmentation, particularly under conditions of low urgency. In a 2×2 experimental design (N = 245), participants read a fictional scenario involving group disagreement and reported their schismatic intentions. While the ANOVA revealed no significant effects, both types of perceived harm were strongly correlated with internal fragmentation; urgency did not show such a link. These findings suggest that the perception of harm itself can lead activists to internal fragmentation, regardless of the type of harm they are experiencing. However, as the results were primarily non-significant, this study offers limited support for the hypothesis that was tested, suggesting that the relationship between dyadic harm, urgency, and internal fragmentation may be more complex than expected. Further research is needed to clarify the psychological mechanisms involved in internal group conflict within environmental movements.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Zomeren, M. van |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Aug 2025 14:05 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2025 14:05 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5845 |
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