Closing ranks: Ingroup norm conformity as a subtle response to threatening climate change. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barth, Markus; Masson, Torsten; Fritsche, Immo; Ziemer, Carolin-T.
• Other Names: Pearson Adam R. guest-editor.; Schuldt Jonathon P. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Group processes and intergroup relations. Volume 21:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 497
• Page End: 512
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: climate change -- ingroup orientation -- norm conformity; Intergroup relations -- Periodicals; Social groups -- Periodicals; 302.305
• DOI: 10.1177/1368430217733119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4302

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that climate change threat increases group-based cognition and action tendencies. As ingroups can provide extended primary control, we expected climate change threat to increase conformity with ingroup norms and group protective behavior. In three studies ( N = 404), we experimentally manipulated climate change threat (Studies 1–3) and group norm content (Studies 2 and 3). We found that participants under climate change threat more strongly derogated group members who acted against the group's interests (Study 1). When a specific group norm was made salient, both manipulated (Study 3) and perceived climate change threat (Studies 2 and 3) increased ingroup norm conformity. Importantly, this effect occurred for norms of radical left-wing behavior. This suggests that climate change threat does not necessarily induce a conservative shift. Instead, it elicits group-based defenses whose expression depends on which ingroup and which of its norms are salient.