Social Identity Theory Flashcards
What is a self concept?
Our self concept is a sense of who we are and is made up of many social identities.
What is a personal identity?
A personal identity is based on personal characteristics unique to the individual
What is social identity?
Social identity is an image based on the attributes of the group or groups to which we belong to
What is social categorisation?
Is the process of categorising yourself and others into differentiated groups. Classified groups as either in-group or out-group.
In-group
One we belong to “like me” “us”
Out-group
Another group we do not belong to “not like me” “them”
What is social identification?
Social identification involves the individual adopting the beliefs, values and attitudes of groups to which they see themselves belonging to
What is social comparison?
We do this in order to raise the positive attributes of the in-group so that we have a positive social identity. This then enhances out personal identity and increases our self-esteem.
Two processes we use to achieve this:
In-group favouritism
Negative out-group bias
In-group favouritism
This is the tendency for group members to see the individuals within their group as unique and different (in-group hetogeneity bias) and in favourable light.
Negative out-group bias
This is the tendency to view members of the out-group as all the same (out-group homogeneity bias) and in an unfavourable lights.
EVIDENCE
Milgram’s variations can be used to support the theory of social factors e.g in variation 7 obedience over the phone was disrupted and lowered obedience levels.
CA
Hofling (1966) ppts were directed over the phone and so the targets did not have immediacy, yet obedience was still high. Shows immediacy does not have much influence.
That said, it old be argued that the strength s the source e.g the doctor was still great which provides further validity to the theory.
APPLICATION
Can be used to support destructive obedience in an everyday setting e.g Abu Ghraib because the source has strength and immediacy (e.g the commanding officers) to the target (soldiers).
This theory can be applied to understand how people enhance their social influence I.e politicians may increase their influence e.g number - addressing smaller groups rather than large crowds
STRENGTHS AND SHORTCOMINGS
Ignores the role of individual differences in obedience e.g people with an internal locus of control may be less likely to obey.
Elements of the theory are difficult to measure and can be hypothetical.
The theory does not take into account the role of nature and nature and so may not be valid as agency theory.
Broader view than agency theory
Further development of AT
ALTERNATIVE
Agency theory is and alternative to social impact theory
