TY - JOUR
T1 - Resistance or capitulation? How discrete emotions shape citizens’ interactions with the administrative state
AU - Bell, Elizabeth
AU - Christensen, Julian
AU - Hansen, Kristina Jessen
PY - 2022/11
Y1 - 2022/11
N2 - Public administration researchers have found that unfavorable state actions can trigger negative emotions in citizens, but the behavioral consequences of these emotions have been understudied. We draw on psychological insights to predict how discrete emotional responses to unfavorable interactions with the state (specifically: administrative decisions to deny access to public benefits) will predict citizens’ coping behaviors, such as whether they voice grievances, file complaints, and seek information. We test our hypotheses using a survey of applicants of a notoriously burdensome, means-tested tuition-free college program in Oklahoma, USA. In line with our theoretical framework, we find anger increases opposition behaviors in reaction to losses of access to the program, whereas shame reduces opposition among citizens. We also find that fear increases information-seeking and resistance behaviors. The results demonstrate the role of discrete emotions in predicting state-directed citizen behaviors, but also provide the groundwork for applying the discrete emotions framework to other actors, such as public managers and street-level bureaucrats.
AB - Public administration researchers have found that unfavorable state actions can trigger negative emotions in citizens, but the behavioral consequences of these emotions have been understudied. We draw on psychological insights to predict how discrete emotional responses to unfavorable interactions with the state (specifically: administrative decisions to deny access to public benefits) will predict citizens’ coping behaviors, such as whether they voice grievances, file complaints, and seek information. We test our hypotheses using a survey of applicants of a notoriously burdensome, means-tested tuition-free college program in Oklahoma, USA. In line with our theoretical framework, we find anger increases opposition behaviors in reaction to losses of access to the program, whereas shame reduces opposition among citizens. We also find that fear increases information-seeking and resistance behaviors. The results demonstrate the role of discrete emotions in predicting state-directed citizen behaviors, but also provide the groundwork for applying the discrete emotions framework to other actors, such as public managers and street-level bureaucrats.
KW - administrative burden
KW - citizen–state interactions
KW - discrete emotions
KW - education policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141346912&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/02750740221128554
DO - 10.1177/02750740221128554
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0275-0740
VL - 52
SP - 535
EP - 557
JO - American Review of Public Administration
JF - American Review of Public Administration
IS - 8
ER -