Intention ≠ Behavior: Collective Intention and Collective Action Have Different Paths

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between group relative deprivation and group identity and collective intention and actual collective behavior. Methods: In the study of collective behavior, intention is often used to predict or replace actual collective behavior. In this paper, 2(high and low group relative deprivation)×2(high and low group identity) laboratory scenario design and investigation method were used. Results: Collective intention affected actual collective behavior as a mediator ( =20.294, P =0.000); Group identity moderated the relationship between group relative deprivation and group intention (β=0.723, t=2.483, P =0.001). In the mediation model of collective intention, the simple regulation of group identity changed into the interactive regulation of the mediation model, which affected the path of the first and second half of the mediation model (β=0.225, t =2.254, P =0.027; β= 0.355, Wals=5.833, P=0.016). Conclusion: There are different paths between collective intention and actual collective behavior. That is, group identity moderates the relationship between group relative deprivation and cluster intention. In addition, group identity also moderates the relationship between deprivation and cluster intention, and between cluster intention and cluster behavior.