Social Identity Theory

Question 1

Who proposed social identity theory?

Answer 1

Tajfel and Turner (1979)

Question 2

What causes prejudice?

Answer 2

The formation of 2 groups, w/o any other factors being present.

Question 3

What does the mere existance of 2 groups cause?

Answer 3

It causes conflict to begin.

Question 4

Tajfel carried out studies of…

Answer 4

… minimal groups.

Question 5

When were the studies carried out?

Answer 5

In the early 1970s.

Question 6

Where were the studies carried out?

Answer 6

In Bristol.

Question 7

Results clearly show that…

Answer 7

… the creation of 2 groups leads to prejudicial attitudes.

Question 8

Social identity theory suggests that a person has several…

Answer 8

… personal ‘selves’.

Question 9

The personal ‘selves’ link in with…

Answer 9

… group membership.

Question 10

Different social situations may trigger an individual to…

Answer 10

… act in different ways.

Question 11

Where does social identity come from?

Answer 11

It comes from how people see themselves in relation to membership of their social groups.

Question 12

What does belonging to an in-group create?

Answer 12

Self-categorisation

Question 13

What does self-categorisation lead to?

Answer 13

In-group favouritism & hostility towards the out-group.

Question 14

People perceive their in-groups as better, in order to…

Answer 14

… enhance self-esteem.

Question 15

What are the 3 processes involved in becoming prejudiced towards the out-group?

Answer 15

1) social categorisation
2) social identification
3) social comparison

Question 16

What is social categorisation?

Answer 16

Seeing oneself as part of a group.

Question 17

What is social identification?

Answer 17

• identifying with the group more overtly

- individual takes on norms & attitudes of group members

Question 18

What is social comparison?

Answer 18

• individual’s self-concept becomes wrapped up with the in-group
• in-group is seen as better than the out-group

Question 19

What are the 3 variables contributing to in-group favouritism?

Answer 19

1 - extent to which individuals identify with the in-group
2 - extent to which there are grounds for comparisons
3 - relevance of out-group in relation to the in-group

Question 20

If an in-group is central to one’s self-definition and making comparisons is meaningful, then…

Answer 20

… there is more likely to be in-group favouritism.

Question 21

In-group favouritism is what leads to…

Answer 21

… prejudice against the out-group.