Collective nostalgia: Triggers and consequences for collective action intentions

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Political Science

Background:

• Collective nostalgia is a widespread phenomenon globally.
• Populist radical-right parties leverage collective nostalgia to mobilize voters against immigration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antecedents and consequences of collective nostalgia.
• To examine the link between collective nostalgia, national identity, and collective action.

Main Methods:

• A three-wave longitudinal cross-lagged panel study.
• Data collected from 1489 native Dutch majority members.

Main Results:

• Collective nostalgia was triggered by a sense of collective discontinuity.
• Collective nostalgia led to intentions for collective action to protect the national in-group.
• Intentions included limiting the presence of immigrant out-groups.

Conclusions:

• Collective nostalgia serves as an emotional response to collective discontinuity.
• This emotion drives collective action aimed at preserving in-group continuity.
• Findings have implications for understanding group dynamics and collective action, particularly concerning national identity and immigration.