Too positive to act? Positivity, psychological distance, and collective action intentions in response to global threats

Individuals today face two major global threats: climate change and the potential outbreak of a world war. Understanding the psychological factors that shape collective engagement in response to such threats is essential. This research focuses on positivity, a stable disposition potentially reflecting a balanced time perspective, which may influence how individuals mentally represent threats and behavioral responses to them. Drawing on Construal Level Theory, we hypothesized that higher levels of positivity may be associated with greater perceived psychological distance (across temporal, social, and hypothetical dimensions) from existential threats, thereby reducing intentions to engage in collective and mitigative actions. Two correlational studies were conducted with Italian adult samples. Study 1 ( N = 168) tested a mediation model in which positivity predicted lower intentions to engage in war-related collective action via increased psychological distance from the threat of a global war. Study 2 ( N = 283) replicated this model and extended it to climate change mitigation. In both studies, higher positivity was associated with greater psychological distance, which in turn predicted lower behavioral intentions, through a fully mediated pathway. These findings highlight a potential collateral effect of positivity and suggest that reducing perceived distance from existential threats may enhance collective engagement. • The relation between positivity and collective action has received limited attention. • Two studies examined psychological distance as a mediator of this relation. • Positivity increased perceived distance from war and climate change threats. • Perceiving threats as distant reduced collective and mitigation intentions. • Positive orientation may have unintended effects on collective engagement.