SIT (Social Identity theory)

Question 1

Define Social Identity

Answer 1

Social identity is the individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership of social groups.

In other words, it is an individual-based perception of what defines the “us” associated with any internalised group membership.

There are 4 psychological mechanisms:
- Social categorisation
- Social identification
- Social comparison
- Positive distinctiveness

Social categorisation is the process by which we identity which groups we belong to and which groups we do not. The groups we belong to and identify with are referred to as our “in-groups.” and the groups we do not belong to are referred to as “out-groups”.

Social identification takes place after deciding to belong to the group. This is the process of adopting the norms of the group and taking on the characteristics of the group.

Social comparison is a means of** justifying their group membership** after identifying one’s in-group

Then we achieve positive distinctiveness by positively comparing our in-group to an out-group on some values dimension

Question 2

Aim of Abrams?

Answer 2

To determine if in-group identity would affect one’s willingness to conform

Question 3

Method of Abrams?

Answer 3

2 IV
- whether confederates were from an in-group (psychology students) or out-group (ancient history students)
- whether the participant’s responses were public or private

- Participants sat in a row, facing the monitor - **participant** always at the **end of the row**
- No talking
- Like Asch - shown** stimulus line**, then **three other lines of the same length**
- Participant answered **last**

In public condition:
- all four members of the group gave their judgements out loud
In private condition:
- participant asked to note down the others’ responses
- confederates gave answers out loud
- real participant recorded own response privately

Question 4

Findings of Abrams?

Answer 4

77% of all participants conformed to the
erroneous confederate judgments on at least
one trial
no gender differences observed
very similar to asch
decreasing conformity:
- public ingroup > private ingroup
> private outgroup > public outgroup

Question 5

Conclusion of Abrams?

Answer 5

That social categorisation plays an important role in a person’s decision on conforming publicly.

It supports SIT if the participants social identity is more salient, it predicts their behaviour as well as with social categorization