Social Identity Theory

Question 1

Explain what social identity theory is

Answer 1

Prejudice arises simply from there being two groups. Membership of an in group influences how we perceive our in group and perceptions of our groups. Our in groups gives us self esteem and identify, so to enhance we see out groups negatively. Social identity is how a person sees themselves in relation to their group membership. Groups are classified into us and them

Question 2

What three processes are involved in becoming prejudice?

Answer 2

Social categorisation- categorising someone as part of a group e.g. student
Social identification- overtly identifying with group membership, taking on the norms of group members in the way they dress, talk, behave, e.g wearing school uniform
Social comparison- people see themselves/ their group as more superior and better than the out group which enhances self esteem e.g students from your school are better than from another school.

Question 3

Evidence to support social identity theory

Answer 3

Evidence to support prejudice and hostility to an out group is a result of being in a group comes from Jane Elliot who found that children were hostile to there our groups because they believed they had the better eye colour
That said sherif demonstrates that there is competition for resources which causes the prejudice

Question 4

Application of social identity theory

Answer 4

Understand racism…

Question 5

Strengths and shortcomings of social identity theory
Ignores individual differences
Hypothetical

Answer 5

Ignores the role of individual differences in prejudice e.g people with an authoritarian personality may be more likely to be prejudice
Elements of the theory are difficult to measure and can be considered to be hypothetical e.g it is difficult to measure the levels of self esteem