Activism as a Heroic Quest for Symbolic Immortality: An Existential Perspective on Collective Action

摘要: Excellent research exists on the conditions that generate political and social activism. Yet a central issue has remained perplexing: how does personal need to stand out as unique heroic interact with concern for positive image of group, desire protect bolster its status, goals shared values, in propelling collective action? Inspired by existential theory research, this paper proposes an perspective activism identifies human sense meaning significance important motivation underlying individuals' choice engage action. This study outlines integrative model action, combining insights from psychology identity perspective, bridge together needs concerns associated both group into single action through concept death-anxiety buffering mechanisms. suggests is effective means satisfy bolstering protecting interests values one hand, realizing activist's heroism project other. Suggestions future are discussed.