More about the key characteristic 'Collective identity'

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The cognitive parameters or boundaries of the social movement based on its shared goals

• Individuals share certain beliefs with a broader community about a concern, the urgent need to address it and the actions needed to change it.
• Collective identity forms when individuals engage in ‘boundary work’ in which they determine the scope and focus of their social movement, what it is and is not, and their commonalities and differences with other groups.  
• The cognitive boundaries indicate the priority areas for change and with that, the requirements for being part of the social movement. These can shift over time as the social movement evolves.   
• The cognitive parameters allow individuals engaged in the social movement to recognize one another as supporters, and enable those who are outside of the movement to be able to identify it, its focus and the people who are engaged in it. 

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The social ties and relationships of the individuals engaged in the social movement

• The social ties are constructed from the individuals who are engaged in the social movement and their interactions - their discussions, negotiations, and decision-making - regarding a specific concern.  
•  Collective identity is an expression of individuals’ membership in the social movement and their social relationships with other supporters that reflect a sense of community, trust, belongingness and connection. 
• Social ties act as the ‘’social glue’’ (Lippman et al., 2013, p. 5) or social cohesion that bonds individuals together and supports the development of a shared group identity.  

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The emotional investment of individuals and their recognition of others engaged in the change  

• In a collective identity, a sense of ‘we-ness’ or ‘us’ develops amongst individuals engaged in the change due to their emotional investment and positive affective ties to one another.
• Shared positive emotional experiences keep individuals engaged in the social movement, regardless of whether goals are achieved or other challenges are faced.