social identity theory Flashcards
Intro.
This theory was developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, two British psychologists. Tajfel wondered what made the nazis (powerful and rich) want to destroy weak and very poor families. He proposed that stereotyping is based on a normal cognitive process; we have the tendency to group things together.
social categorisation def.
the separation of individuals into one of two groups.
in-group- the group which we see ourselves as belonging to (us and me)
out-group- anyone not part of the in-group (them).
The meer existance of an outgrip is enough to bring about prejudice and discrimination.
social identification def.
the individual adopting the beliefs, values and attitudes of the group they belong to.
they will alter their behaviour to fit in with the norms of the group.
also involves a shift in a persons thinking and involves a change to his to her self-concept as a social identity is formed.
social comparison def.
conc.
