The Passive Activist: Negative Consequences of Failing to Confront Antienvironmental Statements

Interpersonal confrontations are a means of expressing one's displeasure or disagreement with the actions of others and are effective in influencing others' future behaviors. In contrast, inaction, especially from one expected to speak out, may be misperceived as passive acceptance and may promote a social norm inconsistent with the non-responder's actual beliefs. Participants watched a video discussion between two college students with clear...