Social Identity Theory

Question 1

What is social identity theory and what does it suggest?

Answer 1

SIT is a persons sense of who they are linked into their group membership, tajfel suggested group belonging were linked to self esteem and pride

SIT suggests that a person has many personal sleeves and these are linked to group membership

Question 2

Three processes involved in prejudice towards out group

Answer 2

Social categorisation- seeing oneself as part of a group

Social identification- process of taking on norms, attitudes and values of the group

Social comparison- self esteem linked to group so people believe they are better than other group to enhance self image

Question 3

Strengths and weaknesses

Answer 3

Strengths:

• a lot of evidence that backs it up(Crocker and luhanton and lalonde)
• has useful practical applications- football and racial groups
• Willets+ Clarke suggest theory help nurses and their professional identities

Weaknesses:

• theory can be seen as part of RCT
• by focusing on only groups no other factors are considered