Altruism and Activism: Character Disposition and Ideology as Factors in Blockade of an Abortion Clinic

This work is the only empirical study of the psychological and social characteristics of a group who blockaded an abortion clinic. The study employs extensive questionnaires, psychological scales, analysis of official court statements and thorough interviews in order to gather information on personal motivation and on various psychological and sociological characteristics. Comparisons are made with a peer group drawn from the same geographic area and with a large group of Europeans representing 10 different countries. The study reveals that the Blockade Group differed from the comparison groups in many ways, including evidence that the Blockade Group demonstrated greater tolerance for various minority and socially unpopular groups; was more willing to oppose the permissive values of popular culture; and demonstrated greater social interest and psychological well-being on psychological measures. Altruism and Activism is highly appropriate reading for courses on social issues, sociology of religion, introduction to sociology, and social psychology.