Individual factors are psychological states that either convince people to join a movement or so weaken their commitment to conventional groups that they are willing to risk the groups’ disapproval because of their belief in an unpopular cause. Failure to achieve a satisfying status and identity within normal membership groups may be such a factor. The prestige and sense of belonging, which such people may gain as members of a social movement, may be even more important to them than the values of the movement. Alienation, feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness, and estrangement from society may predispose individuals to participation. Some scholars argue, however, that there are different kinds of alienation. One type leads merely to apathy and resignation. Political alienation, however, reflects a loss of faith in the political community and predisposes the individual to join a movement that challenges it.

Deprivation, discontent, and frustration are frequently assumed to be sufficient causes for initiating or joining a social movement. The relationship is not a simple one, however. There is little evidence that the most deprived segments of a population are the most likely to participate in social movements. The concept of relative deprivation has been used to explain the fact that persons who could be much worse off than they are but still feel deprived in comparison with even more fortunate groups often play a prominent part in social movements.