Social Identity Theory

Question 1

Define social identity

Answer 1

the portion of an individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group

Question 1

What are features of a social group?

Answer 1

1. Composed of more than 3 individuals
2. they must share a common goal
3. every member within the group must have the chance to interact with every other member of the group
4. every action that is taken within the group influences every other member of the group

Question 2

Why do people gather in groups?

Answer 2

1. For self-definition: the need for belonging, of feeling part of something is specifically referred to identity and definitions related to identity: PSYCHOLOGICAL explanation
2. Enhance their sense of protection: EVOLUTIONARY explanation

Question 3

Why are groups functional to humans?

Answer 3

To define the functional components of their identities: define 50% of an individuals identity

Question 4

What needs do individuals have?

Answer 4

1. Define the identity
2. Define such identity positively

Question 5

How do people define their identity positively?

Answer 5

By defining their perception of their reference group as positive through comparison the group to which they belong to other groups that are extraneous

Question 6

What is the 1st step to forming a social group?

Answer 6

Baseline: assemble of individuals who are not a social group

Question 7

What is the 2nd step to forming a social group?

Answer 7

Identification EMOTIONAL: single individuals start to feel part of something, a sense of belonging

Question 8

What is the 3rd step to forming a social group?

Answer 8

Categorisation COGNITIVE: groups are formed, people start to see themselves in a similar way with other people within the group and start to attribute to themselves the features that are typical to the reference group

Question 9

What is the 4th step to forming a social group?

Answer 9

Comparison: groups are present and are formed and start to differentiate from each other. When 2 groups start comparing between them, 2 groups start to maximise the differences between them and the similarities are minimised.

Question 10

Steps to forming a social group

Answer 10

1. Baseline
2. Identification
3. Categorisation
4. Comparison