Social Identity Theory

Question 1

Who developed social identity theory-

Answer 1

Tajfel in 1979

Question 2

Aim of social identity theory

Answer 2

Says that the groups which people belong to are a main source of pride and self esteem. He wanted to prove this

Question 3

What does social identity theory sag

Answer 3

In order to increase our self image we increase the status of the group which we belong to.

We do this by discriminating and holding prejudiced views from the out group.

We decide people into them and us and this is known as social categorisation.

It states that the in group wil discriminate against the out group to enhance their self image.

He says stereotyping is based on a normal cognitive process it refers to the tendency to group things together

Examples of the outgroups include Northern Ireland and Catholics vs prostents and in rowanda hutus vs Tutsis

Question 4

3 mental processes of social identity theory-

Answer 4

1) categorisation-
Categorise to understand and identify. We do the same with people to understand social environment. We assign to learn more.
2) social identity-
We adapt to our groups identity and act in that way. Emotional significance to our identity is linked to that group. Self esteem is bound with group membership.
3) self comparison-
Once we categorise we compare that group with others. To maintain self-esteem we need to compare favourably.

Question 5

What is minimal group paradigm-

Answer 5

Also by Tajfel in the 1970s

Variety of purposes.

Best known for investigating the minimal conditions required for discrimination to occur between groups.

The intention was to create groups with as little meaning as possible & discover at what point it occurred.

Put boys into two groups with no meaning to see what would happen

Question 6

Results of MGP

Answer 6

In group- 
More favourable 
They were interacted with more
Believed they were similar. 
Allocated their own group more resources. 
Behaved more prosocially.

Question 7

Grit

Answer 7

Conflict deescalation method.
Osgood 1966
It’s a bargaining strategy.
End goal was to gradually reduce tension.
Disputing parties encourages de-escalation by proposing a small initial concession the proposing party the proposing party were under the impression it would be accepted and matched by other group.
If successful will lead to a peace spiral
It is used to establish trust

Question 8

5 stages of SDT

Answer 8

1) creating a cohersve group of shared identity
2) exclusion-placing targets out of ingroup.
3) threat- out group respresents danger to ingroups existence
4) virtue- ingroup are victorious and morally superior.
5) celebration- inhumanity is sanctioned

Question 9

Cognitive solution-

Answer 9

Studies were done and when white people underwent a brains scam they saw that if they seen black faces for long enough for it to register consciously the controlled thinking becomes more active.

It therefore strengthens the frontal lobe and amyglada.

It enables us to be able to control impulses like fear. It is encouraged
Thought the reduction of fear response and encourages rational thinking.

This may be achieved through the positive contact with the outgroup.