Identity in Action: Predictors of Feminist Self-Identificationand Collective Action

摘要

The present study sought to explore how wom-en's life experiences influenced their beliefs, and how thosebeliefs in turn influenced feminist self-identification.Additionally, we sought to determine whether feministself-identification led to increased collective action onbehalf of women. Female participants (N=282) from twoUS college campuses and online listservs completed anonline survey assessing feminist self-identification, collec-tive action, and life experiences. Conservative, liberal, andradical beliefs were assessed as were evaluations offeminists. A structural equation model was used to explorethese relationships; life experiences were found to influencewomen's beliefs, which in turn influenced feminist self-identification, which influenced collective action. We foundthat life experiences may serve as a catalyst for bothfeminist self-identification and collective action.