Evaluate social identity theory (8 marks)

Question 1

CREDIBILITY AND COMPARISON - Tajfel et al

Answer 1

→ SIT is supported byTajfel et al.’s 1970 studyinto minimal groups.
→The research showed how boys will discriminate against an outgroup (even an outgroup that contains their own friends) and show favouritism to an ingroup (even an ingroup made up of strangers) and that this will happen when the group identity is based on something as flimsy as “being an over-estimator” or “preferring the art of Paul Klee”.
→ This study demonstrates we have a tendency for in-group favoritism.

Question 2

CREDIBILITY AND COMPARISON - Explanation for discrimination

Answer 2

→ SIT also provides an explanation for why discrimination occurs even when the outgroup isno threat to the ingroupand there isno competitionover resources.
→ If self-esteem is based on social identity, then some peopleneedto put down outgroups in order to feel good about themselves.

Question 3

CREDIBILITY AND COMPARISON - Field Experiments

Answer 3

→ There is evidence from field experiments
→ Jane Eilliot → Blue eyes/Brown eyes - the study showed that when placed into two groups based on eye colour the children developed prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behaviours. When they had seen themselves as one group this has not been observed.
→ This shows that the mere perception of another group can create prejudice.

Question 4

OBJECTIONS - Tajfel

Answer 4

→ The“Minimal Groups” studiesthat support SIT have been criticised for using artificial tasks that lackecological validity.
→ Tajfel conducted a series of lab based studies and found that when schools boys were placed into arbitray groups.
→ However, Tajfel would contend that, if boys will be discriminatory over trivial and pointless tasks like this, how much more likely are they to discriminate when somethingimportantis at stake!

Question 5

OBJECTIONS - Adolescent criticism

Answer 5

→ Another criticism of the studies is that adolescent boys are naturally competitive and the matrices looked like a competition of some sort.
→ The boys may have assumed Tajfel wanted them to “win” at this game.
→ This increases demand characteristics as the participants may think Tajfel wanted the participants to win the games

Question 6

DIFFERENCES - RCT

Answer 6

→ Realistic conflict theory → stands in contrast to SIT.
→ RCT is backed up bySherif’s ‘Robbers cave’ study where boys showed outgroup discrimination when a tournament was arranged between them. This started with name-calling and food fights but became increasingly violent.
→ RCT claims that prejudice is produced bycompetitionand happens when there is (or seems to be) a scarcity of resources like food, money, jobs or status.

Question 7

APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TO SOCIETY

Answer 7

→ Encouraging people to see themselves as part of a larger social identity can combat outgroup discrimination.
→ Some people think teaching “Britishness” in schools may reduce conflict between groups, if they all see themselves as British citizens.
→ However, this may backfire if it leads to more conflict with people who are seen as “un-British”.