Outgroup exclusion, identity, and collective action in the Brexit context

This paper explored how the source of exclusion (ingroup/outgroup) influences ingroup identification and political engagement. It is well documented that social exclusion has a negative impact on individuals' well-being, but less is known how it affects identification with the ingroup, and subsequent behavior. In two studies, one survey (N = 193) and one experiment (N = 384), we explore how exclusion in the context of Brexit impacts identification with the EU and Remain cause and in turn engagement with a pro-EU group. Participants sympathetic to the Remain-side were recruited and findings suggest that exclusion from the outgroup (Leave-sympathizers) increases ingroup identity measures and engagement with a Pro-EU group. Mediation analysis revealed that increased ingroup identity mediated engagement with the ingroup.