Social Identity Theory

Question 1

We are social…

Answer 1

…animals.

Question 2

We have evolved the tendency to identify with a group to…

Answer 2

…aid co-operation.

Question 3

SIT states that prejudice can be explained by…

Answer 3

…our tendency to classify ourselves as part of a group.

Question 4

The presence of another group could cause…

Answer 4

…prejudice.

Question 5

NAME and DESCRIBE the three mental/cognitive processes involved in evaluating others as “us” or “them” - the ‘in-group’ and the ‘out-group’. These should be in order of when they occur.

Answer 5

1. SOCIAL CATEGORISATION: We categorise objects to understand and identify them.
2. SOCIAL IDENTIFICATION: We adopt the identity of our group.
3. SOCIAL COMPARISON: We compare our group favourably.

Question 6

Evaluation: supporting studies

Answer 6

Tajfel conducted a series of lab based studies

• He found that, when asked to conduct a task during which they had to allocate point to a member of either their own team or the other team, school boys consistently awarded points to the boy they saw as being on their own team.
• This study demonstrates our tendency for in-group favouritism.

Question 7

Evaluation: criticism

Answer 7

> SIT seems to justify prejudice by calling it ‘natural’

Question 8

Evaluation: different theories

Answer 8

> other theories suggest that the mere presence of another group is not enough to generate discrimination and prejudice
for example, Realistic Conflict theory states that a conflict of interests or competition between two groups is required for prejudice to occur