Social Identity Theory Flashcards
What does Social Identity Theory argue?
It argues that a person does not just one “personal self” but rather multiple social selves that correspond to group membership.
According to social identity theory, we need to understand…
who we are and know our value in social contexts. Essentially, that is why we categorize ourselves in terms of our group membership.
Three psychological mechanisms involved in the creation of a social identity?
Social categorization, social comparison, tendency for people to use group membership as a source of self-esteem.
Social Categorization
A psychological mechanisms involved in Social Identity Theory, it refers to the process of people classifying themselves into groups based on similar characteristics creating in groups (us) and out groups (them). A similar characteristic can even be something like being randomly assigned to a group as someone else.
In-group favoritism
When people have a tendency towards liking and awarding people more from their in-groups
Social comparison
A psychological mechanisms involved in Social Identity Theory, this is what maintain our self-esteem. It is when we compare the benefits of belonging to an in-group against an out-group. We have a bias to perform these comparisons so that we are more positive towards anything associated with our group since we have a need for positive self-concept.
What does Tajfel call social comparison?
the establishment of positive distinctiveness
What does Social Identity theory say about conformity?
People are more likely to conform to people within their in-group.
What does it mean when we say that a social identity has become “salient”?
That we are more aware of the that particular social identity
