Social Identity Theory Flashcards
Prejudice
To make judgement about someone based on their membership of a group rather then their individual nature
Discrimination
Treating people differently because of prejudice toward the social group to which they belong
Social comparison
We determine our own social and personal worth based on how we stack up against others
Ingroups
The group the individual belongs to
Outgroups
The group that the individual does not belong to
Social Identification
Adopting the identity of the group we have categorised ourselves as belonging to
Social Categorisation
Automatic act of putting yourself into a group
List the three stages of social identity in order
- Social Categorisation
- Social Identification
- Social Comparison
What does Social Identity Theory suggest causes prejudice?
The act of being grouped
What behaviours happen during comparison?
Gossiping
How does Sherif support Identity Theory?
The boys in the Robbers Cave study CATEGORISED themselves into two different groups and created strong IDENTIFICATION within those groups (flags, names - “rattlers and eagles”, mottos). This resulted in positive distinctiveness - the boys felt superior to their outgroups, shown by name calling. The strong identity eventually resulted in violence through social COMPARISON. E.G burning each- others flags
In group favouritism
Making you in group look good
Out group denigration
Making the out group look bad
How is Realistic Conflict Theory better than this theory?
Its more detailed - suggests that it is not just the creation of two groups that leads to prejudice, but that there needs to be competition for the same resources/ goal for conflict/ prejudice to develop
Positive distinctiveness
The motivation to show that our in group is preferable to an outgroup
How is Realistic Conflict Theory worse than this theory?
Doesn’t explain why the people would be hostile towards each other before competition is introduced but social identity theory does via categorisation
How doesn’t this include individual differences?
Still don’t know why some people are more prejudice than others
What can this explain in the real world?
Can explain the escalation of group behaviour to violence e.g gangs warfare
How does this suggest we can reduce prejudice?
By breaking down categorisation and identification in order to prevent violence
What is a problem with sherif’s study which means the theory may not be valid?
Observers were influencing the boys therefore the results may not be valid
