Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media and Collective Action within the Framework of Contemporary Social Identity Models

Year 2025, Issue: 119, 149 - 174, 25.09.2025

Veysel Karazor , Serap Akfırat

https://doi.org/10.36484/liberal.1682036

Abstract

The widespread digitalization and internet usage have transformed individuals’ participation in collective actions, with social media becoming a critical tool in the mobilization of collective movements. This review study, within the framework of Social Identity Theory, examines the social media-collective action relationship through SIMCA and EMSICA models.
The SIMCA model is based on existing group identification, perceived injustice, and belief in group efficacy. In contrast, EMSICA includes a new identity identification and perceived injustice/efficacy belief through the collective action identity formed within the context of the action. This study examines the theoretical background of these models and the social media-collective action relationship in Turkey’s “Gezi Protests”
and “July 15 Democracy Watch”. Based on EMSICA and SIMCA models, approximately 500 scientific publications and 100 news articles on collective action, social identity, and collective actions in Turkey were reviewed. The selected 96 scientific publications and news content were discussed within the relevant literature and models.

Keywords

Social identity , social media , collective action , SIMCA , EMSICA

Çağdaş Sosyal Kimlik Kolektif Eylem Modelleri Bağlamında Sosyal Medya Kolektif Eylem İlişkisinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Dijitalleşme ve internetin yaygınlaşması, bireylerin kolektif eylemlere katılım biçimlerini dönüştürmüş, sosyal medya ise kolektif hareketlerin mobilizasyonunda kritik bir araç haline gelmiştir. Derleme çalışmasında, Sosyal Kimlik Kuramı çerçevesinde sosyal medya-kolektif eylem ilişkisi; SIMCA ve EMSICA modelleri üzerinden ele alınmaktadır.
SIMCA modelinde var olan grupla özdeşleşme, haksızlık algısı ve grup etkililiği inancı yer alırken; EMSICA’da eylem bağlamında oluşan kolektif eylem kimliği ile yeni bir kimlik özdeşimi ve haksızlık/etkililik inancı bulunmaktadır. Çalışmada, bu modellerin kuramsal arka planının yanı sıra Türkiye’de gerçekleşen “Gezi Eylemleri ve “15 Temmuz Demokrasi Nöbetlerinin” sosyal medya–kolektif eylem ilişkisi incelenmiştir. Bu eylemler kapsamında EMSICA ve SIMCA modellerini temel alarak, kolektif eylem, sosyal kimlik ve Türkiye’deki kolektif eylemleri inceleyen yaklaşık 500 bilimsel yayın ve 100 haber içeriği taranmıştır. Seçilen 96 bilimsel yayın ve haber içeriği derlenerek ilgili literatür ve modeller çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır.

Keywords

Sosyal kimlik , sosyal medya , kolektif eylem , SIMCA , EMSICA

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