Social Identity Theory

Question 1

What does social identity theory explain?

Answer 1

Explains prejudice by saying that the formation of a group will result in negative comparison in order to raise self-esteem. This is explained in 3 stages.

Question 2

Social categorisation

Answer 2

Seeing yourself as part of a group (ingroup) this may be based on your gender, social class, religion, school of friends.

Question 3

Socail identification

Answer 3

Once you have social identity, you automatically perceive everyone else you meet as either part of your ingroup or the outgroup. You then adopt their values, attitudes, appearance.

Question 4

Social comparison

Answer 4

Ingroup fravouratism; Exaggerating differences between groups and viewing your social identity as superior to others. This leads to prejudice and discrimination.

Question 5

Tajfel and turner

Answer 5

Argue that self-esteem is the core of social identity. We need to feel good about ourselves to feel good about the group we belong to.

Question 6

+supporting study (eyes)

Answer 6

Aronson report of jane elliots blue and brown eyes. 3rd grade teacher created blue and brown eye (Categorisation). Students took on behaviours of these groups including internalising what they were told about their intelligence, i.e. blue eyes did better on tests (Identification) resulting in verbal and physical aggression (comparison).

Question 7

+supporting study (cave)

Answer 7

Boys categorised themselves as different and created strong identification (flags, names “rattlers and eagles”, motto, attitude and behaviour). This resulted in the boys feeling superior to the outgroups shown by name calling. Which turned into violence (burning the flag to build their own self-esteem.

Question 8

Ingroup favouritism

Answer 8

Exaggerating differences between groups and viewing your social identity as superior to others. This leads to prejudice and discrimination.

Question 9

-other theories

Answer 9

This theory assumes that the only factor is group formation. Realistic conflict theory emphasises the importance of competion of scarce resources. E.g. baseball and tug of war in sherifs study.

Question 10

-Individual difference

Answer 10

Still dont know why some people are more or less prejudice than others.
Doesnt take into account personality type and free will.
E.g. authoritarian personality is more susceptible to group identity over self-identity.
This is deterministic.

Question 11

Reicher and haslam

Answer 11

Categorisation doesnt always lead to prejudice. Tajfel assumed that as soon as groups were established it would result in comparison. Reicher & haslems study found that groups dont always internalise their identity i.e. the gaurds and prisoners dont always except their roles.