Collective Emotion: An Unexplored Dimension in Framing Process in Social Movements

This paper explores the role of collective emotion in the framing process in social movements.The role of emotions in framing theory has been studied by Schrock, Holden, and Reid (2004), who introduced the concept of emotional resonance.Emotional resonance refers to a mental state where strategic emotional messages cast by movement organizers are created to evoke movement participation.In this paper, I argue that emotions go beyond such a strategic conceptualization of framing.Emotions function not only as a means to win bystanders' support but also as a constant guide and reminder of participants' initial motivations that enable participants to start and continue movement activities.By introducing the concept of collective emotion, I attempt to shed light on the more crucial roles of emotions in social movements.To attain this goal, this paper compares two anti-nuclear movements -Three Mile Island (1979) and Fukushima (2011)analyzing the formation process of emotional convergence and the effects it has on the consensus-making process among movement participants.I argue that emotional exposure in a public setting creates a collective emotion, which in turn stimulates a convergence of opinions and ideas that were originally diverse and controversial, thus reinforcing the motive to participate collectively in the activities.