Key references:
Reysen, S., & Branscombe, N. R. (2008). Belief in collective emotions as conforming to the group. Social Influence, 3, 171-188.
Primary use / Purpose:
Background:
The article in which the Belief in Collective Emotions Scale was published consisted of three studies where participants' belief in collective emotions and related concepts were examined. Participants' belief in the existence of collective emotions positively correlated with measures of in-group identification, collective guilt assignment to an out-group, patriotism, conformity to the in-group, collectivist values, and collective self‐esteem. The belief in collective emotions mediated the relationship between in-group identification and patriotism, and it also mediated the relationship between in-group identification and assignment of collective guilt to an out-group. Conformity to the in-group and deriving collective self‐esteem by seeing one's self as a good in-group member mediated the relationship between in-group identification and the belief in collective emotions. The latter results support the notion that expressing a belief in collective emotions is a means of expressing conformity to a valued in-group.
Psychometrics:
Belief in collective emotions was assessed on a 7-point Likert Scale using the following five items: ‘‘If people are in a group, then they may feel emotions they otherwise would not have,’’ ‘‘People can feel emotions based on their group’s actions,’’ ‘‘A group’s history can affect its members’ emotions,’’ ‘‘Group members can feel emotional reactions to events they were not directly involved in,’’ ‘‘People can identify with a group and feel emotions as a result of being a member of that group’’ (a=5.83). For full description of psychometric properties see: Reysen, S., & Branscombe, N. R. (2008). Belief in collective emotions as conforming to the group. Social Influence, 3, 171-188.
